The British Black Theatre Awards 2025 nominees
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The British Black Theatre Awards have revealed their 2025 nominations, marking the seventh year of celebrating Black excellence in UK theatre. Since their launch in 2019, the awards have become a key moment in the cultural calendar, shining a spotlight on actors, writers, directors, and creatives whose work continues to transform British theatre.
This year’s British Black Theatre Awards 2025 nominations showcase a mix of established stars and rising talents. **Beverley Knight**, already a powerhouse in both music and theatre, is nominated for *Marie & Rosetta* - continuing her run of acclaimed stage roles after winning the Best Supporting Female Actor in a Musical award for her dazzling turn in *Sylvia*. Similarly, **Arinzé Kene** returns as a nominee for *Alterations* at the [National Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/national-theatre-london), having previously won the award for Best Male Actor in a Play for Misty.
Musical theatre remains a vibrant highlight of the awards. [*The Lion King*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-lion-king-tickets) and [*MJ the Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mj-the-musical-tickets) are both nominated once again, continuing their streak as perennial BBTA favourites. Both shows have received multiple nominations across past ceremonies, a testament to their enduring impact and the Black talent at their core.
Behind the scenes, **Lynette Linton** - Artistic Director of the [Bush Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/bush-theatre-london) and a consistent force in championing underrepresented voices - is nominated for Best Director, adding another accolade to her already impressive career.
The British Black Theatre Awards 2025 nominations not only honour performances but also recognise the craft of playwrights, choreographers, designers, and educators. With awards for Best Teacher, LGBTQIA+ Champion, and the Lord Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick Award, the BBTAs continue to celebrate every layer of theatre-making.
### **Full list of British Black Theatre Awards 2025 nominations**
**BEST PRODUCTION - PLAY**
*Alterations*, [National Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/national-theatre-london)
*Pig Heart Boy*, Unicorn Theatre and on Tour
*Shifters*, [Duke of York’s Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/duke-of-yorks-theatre-london)
**BEST MUSICAL PRODUCTION**
[*MJ the Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/mj-the-musical-tickets), [Prince Edward Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/prince-edward-theatre-london)
[*The Lion King*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-lion-king-tickets)*,* [Lyceum Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/lyceum-theatre-london)
*Tina - The Tina Turner Musical,* [Aldwych Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/aldwych-theatre-london)
**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
**BEST FEMALE LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY**
**Anne Odeke**, *Princess Essex*, [Shakespeare's Globe](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/shakespeares-globe-london)
**Beverley Knight**, *Marie & Rosetta*, [The Rose Theatre Kingston](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/rose-theatre-kingston-kingston)
**Suzanne Packer**, *The Women of Llanrumney*, [Theatre Royal Stratford East](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/theatre-royal-stratford-east-london)
**BEST MALE LEAD ACTOR IN A PLAY**
**Arinzé Kene**, *Alterations*, [National Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/national-theatre-london)
**Kyle Ndukuba**, *Romeo and Juliet*, Belgrade Theatre
**Omari Douglas**, *This Bitter Earth*, [Soho Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/soho-theatre-london)
**BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE ACTOR IN A PLAY**
**Cash Holland**, *A Raisin in the Sun*, [Lyric Hammersmith Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/tickets/lyric-hammersmith-tickets)
**Miranda Mufema***,* [*Stranger Things: The First Shadow*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/stranger-things-the-first-shadow-tickets), [Phoenix Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/phoenix-theatre-london)
**Nicola Hughes***, Intimate Apparel*, [Donmar Warehouse](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/donmar-warehouse-london)
**BEST SUPPORTING MALE ACTOR IN A PLAY**
**Andre Antonio**, *Romeo and Juliet*, Belgrade Theatre
**Emmanuel Akwafo**, *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*, [Bridge Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/bridge-theatre-london)
**Tyreke Leslie**, *Princess Essex,* [Shakespeare's Globe](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/shakespeares-globe-london)
**BEST FEMALE LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL**
**Georgina Onuorah**, *Shucked*, [Regent's Park Open Air Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/tickets/regents-park-open-air-theatre)
**Natalie Kassanga**, [*Moulin Rouge! The Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/moulin-rouge-tickets), [Piccadilly Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/piccadilly-theatre-london)
**Shanay Holmes**, [*Oliver! The Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/oliver-gielgud-tickets), [Gielgud Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/gielgud-theatre-london)
**BEST MALE LEAD ACTOR IN A MUSICAL**
**Jay Perry***,* [*Hamilton*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/hamilton-west-end-tickets), [Victoria Palace Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/victoria-palace-theatre-london)
**Jeevan Braich**, [*Starlight Express*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/starlight-express-tickets)*,* [Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/troubadour-wembley-park-theatre-london)
**Newtion Matthews**, [*Kinky Boots The Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/kinky-boots-tickets)*,* UK & Ireland Tour
**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*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/starlight-express-tickets)*,* [Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/troubadour-wembley-park-theatre-london)
**BEST SUPPORTING MALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL**
**Cedric Neal**, [*Hadestown*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/hadestown-tickets), [Lyric Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/lyric-theatre-london)
**C.J. Borger**, [*Back To The Future The Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/back-to-the-future-tickets), [Adelphi Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/adelphi-theatre-london)
**Ryan Carter**, *Bat Out of Hell: The Musical*, UK Tour
**BEST CHILD PERFORMER (UNDER 16)**
**Chizaram Ochuba-Okafor**, *Tina: The Tina Turner Musical*, UK and Ireland Tour
**Keilah Kofi**, [*The Lion King*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-lion-king-tickets)*,* [Lyceum Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/lyceum-theatre-london)
**Riley-Ann Nicholls Murphy**, *Our Mighty Groove*, Sadler's Wells East
**BEST DIRECTOR**
**Lynette Linton**, *Intimate Apparel*, [Donmar Warehouse](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/donmar-warehouse-london)
**Prime Isaac**, *Bitch Boxer*, Watford Palace Theatre
**Robin Belfield**, *Princess Essex,* [Shakespeare's Globe](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/shakespeares-globe-london)
**BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR**
**Ashton Moore**, *Play On!*, UK Tour
**Takisha Sargent**, *The Women of Llanrumney,* [Theatre Royal Stratford East](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/theatre-royal-stratford-east-london)
**XANA**, *Alterations,* [National Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/national-theatre-london)
**BEST PLAYWRIGHT**
**Anne Odeke**
**Coral** **Wylie**
**Ntombizodwa Nyoni**
**BOOK AND LYRICS**
**Trish Cooke**
**Winsome Pinnock FRSL**
**BEST CHOREOGRAPHER OR MOVEMENT DIRECTOR**
**Christopher Tendai**, *CAKE: The Marie Antoinette Musical,* [The Other Palace](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/other-palace-london)
**Shelley Maxwell**, *Alterations,* [National Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/national-theatre-london)
**Ingrid Mackinnon**, *Princess Essex,* [Shakespeare's Globe](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/shakespeares-globe-london)
**THEATRE DESIGN**
**Bolu Dairo**
**Georgie Lynch**
**Stella-Jane Odoemelam**
**BEST SOUND AND/OR LIGHTING DESIGN**
**Eamonn O'Dwyer**
**Joshua Harriette**
**Warren “Flamin Beatz” Morgan-Humphreys**
**LGBTQIA+ CHAMPION**
**Johannes Radebe**
**Layton Williams**
**Newtion Matthews**
**BEST TEACHER**
**Claudimar Neto**, Insight Dance Company
**Kamara Gray**, Artistry Youth Dance
**Stewart Avon-Arnold**, Studio 59
**LORD Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick AWARD**
**Liam Godwin**
**LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD**
**Nicola Blackman**
**BEST PRODUCER**
**Chuchu Nwagu**, *The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind,* The Royal Shakespeare Company
**Mwansa Phiri**, *Positive,* [Southwark Playhouse Borough](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/southwark-playhouse-london)