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Eyes on the prize! Backstage at the Olivier awards 2026 – in pictures

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Guardian photographer David Levene was at the Royal Albert Hall to photograph the stars and the special performances at London’s biggest night of theatre

Evita’s Rachel Zegler, winner of best actress in a musical. Photograph: David Levene/the Guardian

All photographs by David Levene

Mon 13 Apr 2026 10.55 EDT

Bryan Cranston and Rosamund Pike — Rosamund Pike, best actress winner, with best actor nominee Bryan Cranston. All photos: David Levene/the Guardian
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Paddington goes to the Royal Albert Hall — Paddington goes to the Royal Albert Hall
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Minnie Driver — Minnie Driver presented an award
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Cate Blanchett is greeted on the green carpet — Cate Blanchett, best actress nominee, walks the green carpet
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Presenter Nick Mohammed — Nick Mohammed hosted the awards for the first time
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Liz Hurley with her son Damian — Presenter Elizabeth Hurley arrives with her son, Damian
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Zizi Strallen prepares for a performance for Wicked’s 20th anniversary — Zizi Strallen prepares for a performance for Wicked’s 20th anniversary
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Ambika Mod — Ambika Mod was among the presenters
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Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen on their way to the stage to present the award for best revival — Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen on their way to the stage to present the award for best revival
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Nominee Jo Foster has a spot of hair and makeup backstage — Nominee Jo Foster has a spot of hair and makeup backstage
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Nominee Andy Nyman prepares for a performance from The Producers — Nominee Andy Nyman prepares for a performance from The Producers
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Johannes Radebe and Vanessa Williams in the presenters’ room — Johannes Radebe and Vanessa Williams in the presenters’ room
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Rachel Zegler — Rachel Zegler finds herself among the cast of Into the Woods
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Danielle de Niese — Danielle de Niese won the award for outstanding contribution to opera
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Rehearsals for Phantom of the Opera — Dean Chisnall and Beatrice Penny-Touré in rehearsals for their number from The Phantom of the Opera, celebrating its 40th anniversary
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Arti Shah and James Hameed, who jointly play Paddington, with their awards for best actor in a musical — Arti Shah and James Hameed, who jointly play Paddington, with their awards for best actor in a musical
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Adjoa Andoh in the presenters’ room — Adjoa Andoh in the presenters’ room
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Winner Tom Edden, centre, performed a number from Paddington: The Musical — Winner Tom Edden, centre, performed a number from Paddington: The Musical
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Inter Alia’s Rosamund Pike with her award — Inter Alia’s Rosamund Pike with her award
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Andrew Lloyd-Webber looks at his script — Andrew Lloyd Webber checks his notes
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David Harewood keeps cool — David Harewood keeps cool
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Cast members of Wicked — Cast members of Wicked
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Presenter Munya Chawawa, centre, makes some final checks — Presenter Munya Chawawa, centre, makes some final checks
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Kenrex’s Jack Holden, winner of the best actor award — Kenrex’s Jack Holden, winner of the best actor award
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The Wicked performance seen from on high — The Wicked performance seen from on high
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Rachel Zegler — Rachel Zegler, winner of best actress in a musical
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