2025 Black British Theatre Awards Winners Announced
Published on 27 October 2025
The 2025 Black British Theatre Awards (BBTAs) lit up the West End last night at the Piccadilly Theatre, celebrating Black excellence, artistry, and legacy in theatre. The occasion marked another unforgettable evening of performances, emotional speeches, and standing ovations, and we proudly sponsored the Lifetime Achievement Award,
Hosted by stars including Vanessa Williams, Matt Henry MBE, Cush Jumbo OBE, and Jason Pennycooke, the ceremony showcased world-class performances from Alexandra Burke, Beverley Knight, the Kingdom Choir, and the casts of Moulin Rouge! The Musical and The Harder They Come. Productions from Shifters to The Lion King, Marie & Rosetta to Hamilton, demonstrated the richness and diversity of Black talent on the British stage.
2025 BBTA Winners
Best Female Lead Actor in a Play — Beverley Knight, Marie & Rosetta (The Rose Theatre)
Best Male Lead Actor in a Play — Arinzé Kene, Alterations (National Theatre)
Best Director — Lynette Linton, Intimate Apparel (Donmar Warehouse)
Best Male Lead Actor in a Musical — Jay Perry, Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre)
Best Female Lead Actor in a Musical — Shanay Holmes, Oliver! The Musical (Gielgud Theatre)
Best Production – Play — Shifters (Duke of York’s Theatre)
Best Musical Production — The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre)
Best Producer — Chuchu Nwagu
Best Musical Director — Takisha Sargent, The Women of Llanrumney
Best Choreographer/Movement Director — Ingrid Mackinnon, Princess Essex
Best Dance Production/Performer — Our Mighty Groove
Best Sound/Lighting Design — Eamonn O’Dwyer
Theatre Design — Georgie Lynch
Book & Lyrics — Trish Cooke
Best Playwright — Anne Odeke
Best Casting Director — Heather Basten
Best Supporting Male Actor in a Play — Emmanuel Akwafo, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Best Supporting Female Actor in a Play — Cash Holland, A Raisin in the Sun
Best Supporting Male Actor in a Musical — Cedric Neal, Hadestown
Best Supporting Female Actor in a Musical — Jade Marvin, Starlight Express
Best Child Performer (Under 16) — Keilah Kofi, The Lion King
LGBTQIA+ Champion — Newton Matthews
Best Teacher — Stewart Avon-Arnold, Studio 59
Lord Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick Award — Liam Godwin
Lifetime Achievement Award — Nicola Blackman (Sponsored by London Theatre Direct)
For the full list of winners and highlights from the night, visit BBTAs Official Website.
By Hay Brunsdon
I've 15 years of writing and editorial experience, and starting working in the West End theatre industry in 2012. When not watching or writing about theatre I'm usually swimming, hiking, running, or training for triathlons in the Stroud valleys.