Panto Archive: Panto Awards

The Pantomime Awards

Started in 2022

The UK Pantomime Association

Founded in 2021, the UK Pantomime Association is a charity that explores, shares and celebrates pantomime by investigating the genre’s rich past, engaging with contemporary practice and inspiring the future.

Each year they present the PANTOMIME AWARDS - this yearly event has now become a staple in the PANTO calendar for many.

To learn more visit the website www.pantomimeassociation.co.uk

The Pantomime Awards 2025 TT on Background Landscape.jpg

“Congratulations to all our nominees and winners. The Pantomime Awards celebrate an array of outstanding talent and demonstrate an industry alive and thriving..."

Simon Sladen, Chair of the UK Pantomime Association

Anita Harris and Basil Brush at The Pantomime Awards 2025 (photo Victoria Davies Photograp

Click on a year to learn more about the winners!

The Pantomime Awards

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026

2022

Hosted by: Christopher Biggins (UK Pantomime Association President)

Award Winners

Outstanding Achievement: Nigel Ellacott

Best Ugly Sisters: Duncan Burt and Nic Gibney – Cinderella, Theatre Royal Bath (UK Productions)

Best Dame: Morgan Brind – Sleeping Beauty, Derby Arena (Little Wolf Entertainment)

Best Script: Vikki Stone – Aladdin, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre (In-House)

Best Comic: Tam Ryan – Cinderella, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (Imagine Theatre)

Best Lighting: Matt Cross – Beauty and the Beast, Kings Lynn Corn Exchange (Jordan Productions)

Best Sound Design: Alex Linney – Jack and the Beanstalk, Gaiety Theatre, Isle of Man (Shone Productions Ltd)

Best Set Design: Cleo Pettitt – Dick Whittington and his Cat, Watford Palace Theatre (In-House)

Best Costume Design: Celia Perkins – Aladdin, Oldham Coliseum Theatre (In-House)

Best Villain: Rolan Bell – Aladdin, Cambridge Arts Theatre (In-House)

Best Choreography: Jonny Bowles – Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Grand Opera House, Belfast (Crossroads Pantomimes)

Carmen Silvera Award for Best Mythical Being: Alexandra Burke – Aladdin, Opera House, Manchester (Crossroads Pantomimes)

Best Ensemble: Tiago Dhondt Bamberger, Char Burnett, Robert Donnelly, Louis Emmanuel, Amiyah Goodall, Tanieth Kerr, Georgia-Mae Price, Millie Robins, Ernest Stroud, Jessamie Waldon-Day – Dick Whittington, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (In-House)

Best Direction: Paul Hendy – Jack and the Beanstalk, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (Evolution Productions)

Best Principal Girl: Naomi Alade – Robin Hood, Oxford Playhouse (In-House)

Best Musical Direction: Jamie Noar – Robin Hood, Everyman Theatre, Liverpool (In-House)

Best Supporting Artist: Kate Donnachie – Aladdin, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre (In-House)

Barbara Windsor Award for Best Principal Boy: Dominic Sibanda – Sleeping Beauty, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (Evolution Productions)

Best Early Career Newcomer: Becca Lee-Isaacs – Robin Hood, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield (The Big Tiny)

Best Newcomer to Pantomime: Rob Rinder – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Bristol Hippodrome (Crossroads)

Special Recognition

Joe Tracini – for changing perceptions and raising awareness of mental health through his pantomime performance and original pantomime song.

Justin Fletcher and Paul Morse – for exceptional execution of the ‘balloon ballet’ and the championing of set-pieces.

Justin Brett, Susan Harrison and Ali James (The Showstoppers) – for skilled execution of fully improvised ‘front cloth’ sequences including songs created from audience participation, promoting innovation in content.

Best Pantomime (Digital): Jack and the Beanstalk, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich

Best Pantomime (Under 500 seats): Robin Hood, Everyman Theatre, Liverpool (In-House)

Best Pantomime (500-900 seats): Aladdin, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre (In-House)

Best Pantomime (Over 900 seats): Jack and the Beanstalk, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (Evolution Productions)

2022

2023

Location: Trafalgar Theatre in London’s West End
Hosted by: Christopher Biggins (UK Pantomime Association President)

Award Winners

Outstanding Achievement Award: Su Pollard

Best Choreography: Stillie Dee – Jack and the Beanstalk, Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (Crossroads Pantomimes)

Best Comic: Adam C Booth – Cinderella, Grand Opera House, Belfast (Crossroads Pantomimes)

Best Costume Design: Jasmine Swan – Beauty and the Beast, Mercury Theatre, Colchester (In-House)

Best Dame: Brian James O’Sullivan – Maw Goose, Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling (In-House)

Best Director: Estelle van Warmelo – Beauty and the Beast, The Courtyard, Hereford (In-House)

Best Ensemble: Mairi Barclay, Adam Brown, Gabriel Fleary, Becca Francis, Shailan Gohil, Richard Leeming, Genevieve Nicole and Laura Tyrer – Mother Goose, Duke of York’s Theatre, London (Ambassador Theatre Group)

Best Lighting Design: Sally Ferguson – Dick Whittington, Nottingham Playhouse (In-House)

Carmen Silvera Award for Best Magical Being: Jo Osmond – Beauty and the Beast, Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury (Evolution Productions)

Best Contribution to Music: Emma Fraser – Dick Whittington, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil (Evolution Productions)

Best Early Career Newcomer: Neha Eapen – Cinderella, Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds (Paul Holman Associates)

Best Newcomer to Pantomime: Vernon Kay – Cinderella, Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe (Imagine Theatre)

Barbara Windsor Award for Best Principal Lead: Jasmine Triadi – Cinderella, Salisbury Playhouse (In-House)

Best Script: Joyce Branagh – Jack and the Beanstalk, South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell (In-House)

Best Secondary Lead: Ohaana Greaves – The Further Adventures of Peter Pan, Fairfield Halls, Croydon (UK Productions)

Best Set Design: Mark Walters, Nina Dunn and Matt Brown – Beauty and the Beast, Swansea Grand Theatre (Imagine Theatre)

Best Sisters: Andrew Pollard and Alim Jadavji – Cinderella, Lighthouse, Poole (In-House)

Best Sound Design: James Cook – Aladdin, Derby Arena (Little Wolf Entertainment)

Best Supporting Artist: Anna-Jane Casey – Mother Goose, Duke of York’s Theatre, London (Ambassador Theatre Group)

Best Villain: Ben Locke – Robin Hood, Theatr Clwyd, Mold (In-House)

Special Recognition

Ian McKellen for passionate advocacy and services to the artform of pantomime.

Cast, Doncaster, for their ongoing commitment to integrated BSL signing in pantomime

Theatre Royal Stratford East for their continued innovative and inclusive practice in the field of pantomime.

Best Pantomime (Under 500 seats): Robin Hood, Theatr Clwyd, Mold (In-House)

Best Pantomime (500 – 900 seats): Mother Goose, Duke of York’s Theatre, London (Ambassador Theatre Group)

Best Pantomime (Over 900 seats): Beauty and the Beast, Swansea Grand Theatre (Imagine Theatre)

2024

Location: G Live in Guildford
Hosted by: Angellica Bell, Myra DuBois and Ore Oduba, with Rob Madge presenting the coveted Best Pantomime Awards.

Award Winners

Outstanding Achievement Award: Twins FX

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY: Myles Brown: Beauty and the Beast, Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells (Little Wolf Entertainment)

BEST COMIC: Matt Slack: Jack and the Beanstalk, Birmingham Hippodrome (Crossroads Pantomimes)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Dawn Allsopp: Snow White, Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds (In-House)

CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS AWARDS FOR BEST DAME: Ben Roddy: Aladdin, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (Marlowe Theatre and Evolution Productions)

BEST DIRECTION: Simon Fielding: Cinderella, Towngate Theatre, Basildon (Towngate Theatre and Simon Fielding Ltd)

BEST ENSEMBLE: Danielle Cato, Oliver Imeson, Sophie Karaolis, Sarah Jane Lowe, Louis Parkins and Luke Stone: Mother Goose, Cambridge Arts Theatre (In-House)

BEST LIGHTING DESIGN: Jamie Corbidge: Cinderella, Swansea Grand Theatre (Imagine Theatre)

CARMEN SILVERA AWARD FOR BEST MAGICAL BEING: Amanda Henderson: Jack and the Beanstalk, Rhyl Pavilion (Anton Benson Productions)

BEST CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC: Chris Wong: Aladdin, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (Marlowe Theatre and Evolution Productions)

BEST EARLY CAREER NEWCOMER: Jewelle Hutchinson: Cinderella, Nottingham Playhouse (In-House)

BEST NEWCOMER TO PANTOMIME: Benjamin Armstrong: Aladdin, Lighthouse Theatre, Poole (In-House)

BARBARA WINDSOR AWARD FOR BEST PRINCIPAL LEAD: Alexandra Mardell: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Theatre Royal Plymouth (Crossroads Pantomimes)

BEST SCRIPT: Paul Hendy: Aladdin, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (Marlowe Theatre and Evolution Productions)

BEST SECONDARY LEAD: Lotti Brogan: Dick Whittington, King’s Lynn Corn Exchange (Jordan Productions)

BEST SET DESIGN: David Shields: Snow White, Grand Theatre Wolverhampton (In-House)

BEST SISTERS: Iain Lauchlan and Andy Hockley: Cinderella, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (Belgrade Theatre and Imagine Theatre)

BEST SOUND DESIGN: Nigel Bayliss: Sleeping Beauty, Theatre Royal Bath (UK Productions)

BEST SUPPORTING ARTIST: Ben Tanner: Mother Goose, Derby Arena (Little Wolf Entertainment)

BEST VILLAIN: Wendi Harriott: Sleeping Beauty, Watersmeet Theatre, Rickmansworth (Paul Holman Associates)

Special Recognition

Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling who received the Award for Achievement in Inclusive Practice for their production of Aladdin set in Discotopia which celebrated female empowerment, LGBTQ+ narratives and inclusive casting;

Cinderella at The Theatre Chipping Norton who won the Award for Achievement in Innovation with their production which relocated the traditional narrative to Latin America, celebrating the culture of carnival and addressing the challenge of deforestation. The production worked with cast and creatives from the Latinx community and engaged a dramaturg;

Michael J Batchelor who received an award for his contribution to Pantomime History, Tradition and Heritage. A talented designer, as well as Dame himself, his pantomime Dame costumes are regarded as the best in the industry, worn by Dames throughout Pantoland each season. He has perfected the art of costuming the Dame, ensuring impact, comedy and functionality through his inventive and playful designs.

BEST PANTOMIME (UNDER 500 SEATS): Aganeza Scrooge, Tron Theatre, Glasgow (In-House)

BEST PANTOMIME (500 – 900 SEATS): Sleeping Beauty, Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage (Jordan Productions)

BEST PANTOMIME (OVER 900 SEATS): Jack and the Beanstalk, Birmingham Hippodrome (Crossroads Pantomimes)

2023

2024

2025

Location: New Victoria Theatre
Hosted by: Elaine C Smith, Dave Benson Phillips and La Voix.

On Sunday 13 April, the winners of The Pantomime Awards 2025, staged in partnership with Trafalgar Entertainment and ATG Entertainment, were announced by the UK Pantomime Association at a ceremony full of song and laughter at the New Victoria Theatre, Woking.

Elaine C Smith picked up the illustrious award for Outstanding Achievement in Pantomime for her exceptional contribution to the Pantomime Industry for many decades as one of Scotland’s best-loved pantomime legends. Elaine was also one of the Awards show’s trio of presenters, sharing the stage for the evening with fellow top performers, Dave Benson Phillips and La Voix.

In full The Pantomime Awards 2025 winners:

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Ebony Clarke: Cinderella, Royal & Derngate, Northampton (Evolution Productions)

BEST LIGHTING (sponsored by Production Light and Sound)

Andy Webb: Sleeping Beauty, Festival Theatre, Malvern (UK Productions)

CARMEN SILVERA AWARD FOR BEST MAGICAL BEING:
Danielle Jam: Jack and the Beanstalk, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (Crossroads Pantomimes)

BARBARA WINDSOR AWARD FOR BEST PRINCIPAL LEAD
Mia Overfield: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fairfield Halls, Croydon (UK Productions)

BEST SCRIPT:
Anthony Spargo: Dick Whittington and his Cat, Greenwich Theatre, London (In-House)

BEST SECONDARY LEAD:
Mia Welsh: Dick Whittington, Theatre Royal Windsor (In-House)

BEST VILLAIN (sponsored by Breckman and Company):
Zoe West: Rapunzel, Everyman Theatre, Liverpool (In-House)

BEST COMIC:
Steve Royle: Cinderella, Blackpool Grand Theatre (UK Productions)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN:
Katie Lias: Sleeping Beauty, Salisbury Playhouse (Wiltshire Creative)

CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS AWARD FOR BEST DAME
Antony Stuart-Hicks: The New Adventures of Peter Pan, Mercury Theatre, Colchester (In-House)

BEST DIRECTION
Chris Jordan: Snow White, Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne (Eastbourne Theatres in association with Jordan Productions)

BEST ENSEMBLE
Nikki Schofield, Alanna Panditaratne, James Everest, Ariel Nyandoro, Jacob Stebbings:
Peter Pan, Victoria Theatre, Halifax (Imagine Theatre)

BEST CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC
Tayo Akinbode: Mother Goose, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto, Theatr Clwyd, Mold (In-House)

BEST SET DESIGN (sponsored by Blue-i)
Becky Minto: Mother Goose, Perth Theatre (In-House)

BEST SISTERS
Harry Howle and Steven Roberts: Cinderella, Cambridge Arts Theatre (In-House)

BEST SOUND (sponsored by Orbital Sound)
Kate Harvey: Jack and the Beanstalk, Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford (Imagine Theatre)

BEST SUPPORTING ARTIST
Marc Pickering: Snow White, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (Evolution Productions)

BEST NEWCOMER TO PANTOMIME
Owain Wyn Evans: Cinderella, New Theatre, Cardiff (Crossroads Pantomimes)

BEST NEWCOMER TO INDUSTRY
Emma Robertson: Snow White, Loughborough Town Hall (Little Wolf Entertainment)

BEST PANTOMIME (UNDER 500 SEATS) (sponsored by Showtime, a Howden Company)
Dick Whittington and his Cat, Greenwich Theatre (In-House)

BEST PANTOMIME (500 – 900 SEATS)
Snow White, Loughborough Town Hall (Little Wolf Entertainment)

BEST PANTOMIME (OVER 900 SEATS)
Snow White, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (Evolution Productions)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN PANTOMIME
Elaine C Smith

ACHIEVEMENT IN INCLUSIVE PRACTICE
He’s Behind You!

ACHIEVEMENT IN INNOVATION
Oxford Playhouse

NIGEL ELLACOTT SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD FOR PANTOMIME HISTORY, TRADITION AND HERITAGE
Brick Lane Music Hall

The Awards ceremony featured special guest performances from entertainment legend Anita Harris, family favourite Basil Brush with award-winning comedian and cabaret performer Kevin Cruise (aka Martin Cabble-Reid) and ITV Britain’s Got Talent rising star ventriloquist Jamie Leahey.

La Voix at The Pantomime Awards 2025 (credit Andrew Billington Photography _ UKPA).jpg

Elaine C Smith at The Pantomime Awards 2025 (photo Andrew Billington Photography _ UKPA)(1

Jamie Leahey performing at The Pantomime Awards 2025 (credit Andrew Billington Photography

2025

Location: Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe
Hosted by: Vernon Kay

The Special Recognition Awards, which celebrate productions and individuals representing the values that the Association seeks to promote, were presented to:
Terry Parsons who received the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Pantomime. Terry is a designer whose imaginative and iconic work, from Cinderella with Stanley Baxter to Mother Goose with Danny La Rue and Dick Whittington with Barbara Windsor, has shaped the look, spirit and craft of British pantomime for more than fifty years.

The first ever Panto Icon Awards were presented to Brian Conley, whose tireless energy, definitive Buttons performances and unrivalled connection with audiences have made him one of the most recognisable figures in the form and Lesley Joseph, celebrated for her star presence and for consistently delighting audiences as a leading Fairy and Villain across the UK’s major pantomime stages. This category was introduced this year to recognise the sustained commitment to the artform, mastery of its unique craft, recognition and affection from audiences, and a consistently high standard of performance over many years.

Johnny McKnight, who received the award for Achievement in Innovation, and whose brilliance as a writer, director and performer over more than twenty years has joyfully transformed pantomime through groundbreaking productions, bold inclusivity and creative courage.

Keith Simmons, who received the Nigel Ellacott Special Recognition Award for Pantomime History, Tradition and Heritage. Keith is a leading performer, writer and director who has helped shape, preserve and pass on the traditions of British pantomime for more than fifty years.

In full, here is the list of The Pantomime Awards 2026 winners:

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Claire Cassidy: Sleeping Beauty, Harlow Playhouse (KD Theatre Productions)

BEST LIGHTING (SPONSORED BY PRODUCTION LIGHT AND SOUND)
Nic Farman: Sleeping Beauty, Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells (Little Wolf Entertainment)

CARMEN SILVERA AWARD FOR BEST MAGICAL BEING (SPONSORED BY BARRY BURNETT)
Joe McElderry: Aladdin, Newcastle Theatre Royal (Crossroads Pantomimes)

BARBARA WINDSOR AWARD FOR BEST PRINCIPAL LEAD (SPONSORED BY SCOTT MITCHELL)
Sario Solomon: Aladdin, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (Evolution Productions and Sheffield Theatres)

BEST SCRIPT
Andrew Pollard: Beauty and the Beast, Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield (In-House)

BEST SECONDARY LEAD
Ruth Betteridge: Jack and the Beanstalk, Festival Theatre, Malvern (UK Productions)

BEST VILLAIN (SPONSORED BY BRECKMAN AND COMPANY)
Nigel Harman: Jack and the Beanstalk, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (UK Productions)

BEST COMIC (SPONSORED BY THE TWINS FX)
Jez Edwards: Sleeping Beauty, Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds (Paul Holman Associates)

BEST COSTUMES
James MacIver: Sleeping Beauty, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (Belgrade Theatre and Imagine Theatre)

STANLEY BAXTER AWARD FOR BEST DAME (SPONSORED BY JOHN GOOD)
Allan Stewart: Jack and the Beanstalk, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh (Crossroads Pantomimes)

BEST DIRECTION
Gary Wilmot, Cinderella, Richmond Theatre, London (Crossroads Pantomimes)

BEST ENSEMBLE (IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ARTS 1)
Lianha Cooke, Gemma Davis, Chloe Davies, Olly Gooch, Thomas Marc Toombs, Richard Womersley, Erin Harrison and Finlay Tozer: Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne (Made to Measure Productions)

BEST CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC
James Harrison: Aladdin, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (Evolution Productions and Sheffield Theatres)

BEST SET (SPONSORED BY BLUE-I THEATRE TECHNOLOGY)
Kenny Miller: Gallus in Weegieland, Tron Theatre, Glasgow (In-House)

BEST SISTERS
Hannah Roberts and Fran Cottington aka Han and Fran: Cinderella, Venue Cymru, Llandudno (Imagine Theatre)

BEST SOUND (SPONSORED BY ORBITAL SOUND)
Conrad Kemp: Dick Whittington, St Helens Theatre Royal (Regal Entertainment)

BEST SUPPORTING ARTIST
Ada Campe: Growled: Beauty and the Beast continues…, Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London (In-House)

BEST NEWCOMER TO PANTOMIME
Jeevan Braich: Cinderella, Norwich Theatre Royal (In-House)

BEST NEWCOMER TO INDUSTRY
Caitlin O’Shea: Sleeping Beauty, Central Theatre, Chatham (Jordan Productions)

BEST PANTOMIME (UNDER 550 SEATS) (SPONSORED BY KB EVENT)
Weans in the Wood, Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling (In-House)

BEST PANTOMIME (550 TO 950 SEATS) (SPONSORED BY SHOWTIME, PART OF HOWDEN)
Sleeping Beauty, The Arts Theatre Cambridge (In-House)

BEST PANTOMIME (OVER 950 SEATS) (SPONSORED BY UNUSUAL RIGGING)
Sleeping Beauty, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (In-House)

PANTO ICON
Lesley Joseph