20 April 2026
On Sunday 19 April, the winners of The Pantomime Awards 2026, staged in partnership with Trafalgar Entertainment and ATG Entertainment (ATGE), were announced by the UK Pantomime Association at a star-studded ceremony at Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe, presented by Vernon Kay.
Vernon Kay
There were wins on the night for Trafalgar production company, Imagine Theatre, picking up the awards for Best Costumes (James MacIver: Sleeping Beauty, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry) and Best Sisters (Hannah Roberts and Fran Cottington aka Han and Fran: Cinderella, Venue Cymru, Llandudno), and Chris Jordan’s Eastbourne based company, Jordan Productions, were awarded the prize for Best Newcomer to Industry (Caitlin O’Shea: Sleeping Beauty, Central Theatre, Chatham).
Hannah Roberts and Fran Cottington aka Han and Fran
James MacIver
Caitlin O’Shea
Steve and Sarah Boden, Joint CEOs, Imagine Theatre, said: “The UK Pantomime Awards once again enabled us to come together with colleagues from across venues and production to celebrate the extraordinary, much‑loved juggernaut that is pantomime. The evening shone a light on the achievements of producers up and down the country — and we were incredibly proud to be among them — all working with passion and commitment to deliver brilliant seasonal entertainment for audiences of all ages. It was especially meaningful to recognise the greats, past and present, whose tireless dedication over many years has helped shape, nurture and sustain this unique artform. To celebrate those achievements together made the night truly special.”
The Imagine Theatre team
Anita Harris, President of the UK Pantomime Association, said: “I am delighted to join in celebrating this year’s nominees and winners at The Pantomime Awards 2026, whose talent and dedication shines through. It is a privilege to honour those who bring magic to audiences across the UK. I am especially thrilled to see my dear friend Terry Parsons recognised with the Outstanding Achievement Award.
“I have had the joy of working alongside Terry for decades and have been blessed with him designing my principal boy costumes for Dick, Jack, Aladdin and Robinson Crusoe and many more. His extraordinary imagination and artistry have helped define the very heart of pantomime as we know it. As we mark the fifth anniversary of The Pantomime Awards, it is wonderful to reflect on how they have grown into such a meaningful celebration of our unique and beloved artform. My warmest congratulations to all those recognised this year.”
This year’s Awards marked the second year of the sponsorship partnership with Trafalgar Entertainment and ATG Entertainment (ATGE).
Chris McGuigan, Group Commercial Director for Trafalgar Entertainment, said: “Congratulations to all the winners and nominees at this year’s Panto Awards. Trafalgar is proud to co-sponsor this gloriously glittery evening as part of our ongoing commitment to pantomime as a genre. The ‘joyful chaos’ of panto season is a vital component of the regional theatre sector – and so it’s wonderful to celebrate it alongside many of the talented artists, acts, entertainers, writers, creatives, tech teams and producers who make it all happen. We’ve loved hosting this year’s event at Wycombe Swan!”
Claire Dixon, Business Director for ATG Entertainment, said: “It’s been another fantastic year co-sponsoring the Pantomime Awards, and on behalf of ATG Entertainment I’d like to extend our warmest congratulations to all the nominees and winners. These awards shine a light on the vital role pantomime continues to play in the UK’s cultural landscape, and we are proud to support and celebrate the extraordinary creativity, talent and dedication that goes into bringing this beloved artform to life.’’
The Awards ceremony featured special guest performances from some of pantomime’s biggest stars, alongside other exceptional talent from across the industry including the stand-up comedian Steve Royle, pantomime Dame Michael J Bachelor and singer and actress Wendi Harriott, as well as performers from Milton Keynes based Arts1 theatre school.
Founded in 2021, the UK Pantomime Association (UKPA) is a charity that explores, shares and celebrates pantomime by investigating the genre’s rich past, engaging with contemporary practice and inspiring the future.
During the 2025-26 pantomime season, the fifth year in which the Awards have taken place, The Pantomime Awards’ 64 Judges collectively visited 234 venues to see over 603 performances, far and wide across the UK. The nominees exemplify the breadth of talent, skill, enthusiasm and hard work from the creative forces, production teams and cast members who work tirelessly year-round to deliver outstanding entertainment to theatres across the country.