The UK’s biggest night in Black Theatre returns to the West End on 26 October at the Piccadilly Theatre in London
LONDON, UK – For decades, Black artists in the UK have been transforming theatre— from trailblazing pioneers who challenged the status quo to contemporary stars redefining what the West End can be. The Black British Theatre Awards (BBTAs) honour this enduring legacy, celebrating excellence, representation, and the cultural contributions of Black artists 365 days a year.
Now in its seventh year, the BBTAs return to London’s Piccadilly Theatre on Sunday 26 October 2025, bringing together performers, creatives, and audiences for the most powerful and anticipated celebration of Black theatre in the UK. More than an awards ceremony, the BBTAs are a movement, a platform that amplifies Black talent and ensures that both the history and future of Black British theatre are recognised, celebrated, and remembered. Nominees for this year’s awards include Beverley Knight, Omari Douglas and Strictly and Kinky Boots star Johannes Radebe alongside standout performances for a range of the UK’s biggest shows – from Hamilton to the National Theatre’s Alterations.
The 2025 ceremony – sponsored by ATG Entertainment and presented in partnership with Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Global Creatures, and with thanks to Playful Productions – promises an unforgettable evening of live performances, emotional tributes, and a vibrant celebration of creative excellence.
Spotlight on 2025 Nominees
CREATIVES GROUP
BEST PRODUCER
Chuchu Nwagu, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, The Royal Shakespeare Company
Mwansa Phiri, Positive, Southwark Playhouse Borough
Sponsored Thomas Hopkins Productions Ltd
BEST DIRECTOR
Lynette Linton, Intimate Apparel, Donmar Warehouse
Prime Isaac, Bitch Boxer, Watford Palace Theatre
Robin Belfield, Princess Essex, Shakespeare’s Globe
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Ashton Moore, Play On!, UK Tour
Takisha Sargent, The Women of Llanrumney, Theatre Royal Stratford East
XANA, Alterations, National Theatre
Sponsored by YOU Management Ltd
BEST CHOREOGRAPHER OR MOVEMENT DIRECTOR
Christopher Tendai, CAKE: The Marie Antoinette Musical, The Other Palace
Shelley Maxwell, Alterations, National Theatre
Ingrid Mackinnon, Princess Essex, Shakespeare’s Globe
BEST DANCE PRODUCTION OR PERFORMER
Ballet Black: Shadows, Hackney Empire
Inside Giovanni’s Room, Phoenix Dance Theatre – Sadler’s Wells East
Our Mighty Groove, Sadler’s Wells East & Uchenna Dance
RECOGNITION GROUP (BODY OF WORK) AWARDS
BEST SOUND AND/OR LIGHTING DESIGN
Eamonn O’Dwyer
Joshua Harriette
Warren “Flamin Beatz” Morgan-Humphreys
THEATRE DESIGN
Bolu Dairo
Georgie Lynch
Stella-Jane Odoemelam
Sponsored by Disney Theatrical Group
BOOK AND LYRICS
Trish Cooke
Winsome Pinnock FRSL
Sponsored by Theatrical Rights Worldwide UK
BEST PLAYWRIGHT
Anne Odeke
Coral Wylie
Ntombizodwa Nyoni
Sponsored by Brixton House in Association with The Writers Group
BEST CASTING DIRECTOR
Heather Basten
Selma Nicholls
Sponsored by Spotlight
PLAY AWARDS
BEST MALE LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY
Arinzé Kene, Alterations, National Theatre
Kyle Ndukuba, Romeo and Juliet, Belgrade Theatre
Omari Douglas, This Bitter Earth, Soho Theatre
BEST FEMALE LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY
Anne Odeke, Princess Essex, Shakespeare’s Globe
Beverley Knight, Marie & Rosetta, The Rose Theatre
Suzanne Packer, The Women of Llanrumney, Theatre Royal Stratford East
Sponsored by LAMDA
BEST SUPPORTING MALE ACTOR IN A PLAY
Andre Antonio, Romeo and Juliet, Belgrade Theatre
Emmanuel Akwafo, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bridge Theatre
Tyreke Leslie, Princess Essex, Shakespeare’s Globe
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE ACTOR IN A PLAY
Cash Holland, A Raisin in the Sun, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre
Miranda Mufema, Stranger Things, Phoenix Theatre
Nicola Hughes, Intimate Apparel, Donmar Warehouse
BEST PRODUCTION – PLAY
Alterations, National Theatre
Pig Heart Boy, Unicorn Theatre and on Tour
Shifters, Duke of York’s Theatre
Sponsored by AKA
MUSICAL AWARDS
BEST MALE LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Jay Perry, Hamilton, Victoria Palace Theatre
Jeevan Braich, Starlight Express, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
Newtion Matthews, Kinky Boots The Musical. UK & Ireland Tour
BEST FEMALE LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Georgina Onuorah, Shucked, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Natalie Kassanga, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Piccadilly Theatre
Shanay Holmes, Oliver! The Musical, Gielgud Theatre
Sponsored by Link-Artists
BEST SUPPORTING MALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Cedric Neal, Hadestown, Lyric Theatre
C.J. Borger, Back To The Future The Musical, Adelphi Theatre
Ryan Carter, Bat Out of Hell: The Musical, UK Tour
Sponsored by The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind a new musical produced
by Kenny Wax and Chuchu Nwagu
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Georgia Bradshaw, Bat Out of Hell: The Musical, UK Tour
Georgia Gillam, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, UK and Ireland Tour
Jade Marvin, Starlight Express, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
Sponsored by I’m Every Woman
BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION
MJ the Musical, Prince Edward Theatre
The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre
Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. Aldwych Theatre
Sponsored by TodayTix
CHAMPION AWARDS
BEST CHILD PERFORMER (UNDER 16)
Chizaram Ochuba-Okafor, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, UK and Ireland Tour
Keilah Kofi, The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre
Riley-Ann Nicholls Murphy, Our Mighty Groove, Sadler’s Wells East
LGBTQIA+ CHAMPION
Johannes Radebe
Layton Williams
Newtion Matthews
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
BEST TEACHER
Claudimar Neto, Insight Dance Company
Kamara Gray, Artistry Youth Dance
Stewart Avon-Arnold, Studio 59
Sponsored by LIPA – Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts
LORD Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick AWARD
Liam Godwin
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Nicola Blackman
The 2025 award nominees showcase the breadth, depth, and brilliance of Black theatre talent across the UK. Beverley Knight earns a nomination for her soulful portrayal in Marie & Rosetta at the Rose Theatre whilst in Musical Theatre, stars and productions are celebrated with nominations for standout performances in Hamilton, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Disney’s The Lion King, MJ The Musical and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical secured multiple nominations, highlighting the richness and diversity of the UK stage..
Behind the curtain, the awards honour visionary creatives shaping the theatre experience, from Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black for choreography to musical direction, theatre design, and casting, whose artistry ensures that every production is brought to life with vision, excellence, and unforgettable impact.
Anne Odeke’s critically acclaimed play Princess Essex leads the charge, earning an impressive four nominations highlighting performances that are as groundbreaking as they are inspiring whilst Alterations, Lynette Linton’s powerhouse production at the National Theatre, resonated with audiences and critics alike.
Championing LGBTQIA+ Talent
This year, the BBTAs proudly recognise and celebrate LGBTQIA+ champions including Strictly star Johannes Radebe whose nomination underscores the increasing visibility in the UK theatre industry.
The 2025 BBTAs also celebrate rising stars making waves on the stage and screen. Omari Douglas, acclaimed for his role in the groundbreaking series It’s a Sin, earns a well-deserved nomination for his performance in This Bitter Earth directed by Billy Porter.
A Night of Celebration, Legacy, and Representation
The BBTAs are not merely a ceremony—they are a celebration of Black theatre as a living, evolving legacy. By honouring historical contributions and recognising contemporary achievements, the awards provide visibility, opportunity, and inspiration for Black artists, while reminding audiences that Black stories are central to British theatre, every day of the year.
The 2025 BBTAs promise an unforgettable evening of recognition, joy, and community—a night where the West End becomes a stage for both celebration and cultural affirmation.
About the Black British Theatre Awards
Reflecting on Black History, Celebrating Black Futures
Aligned with Black History Season, the 2025 awards celebrate the enduring contributions of Black actors, playwrights, designers, and creatives to British theatre. The BBTAs are a reminder that Black excellence is not confined to one night, one season, or one era—it is a constant, transformative presence that has shaped the UK stage for generations and continues to inspire the future of theatre.
The Black British Theatre Awards (BBTAs) honour this enduring legacy, celebrating excellence, representation, and the cultural contributions of Black artists 365 days a year. Previous winners have included Layton Williams, Freema Agyeman, Danny Sapani, Karis Anderson, Nancy Medina, Sean Green, Choir Boy and MJ The Musical. Previous presenters have included Lemar, Dawn Butler MP, Zoe Birkett and Patron and Broadcaster Brenda Emmanus OBE.
