2025 Sydney Theatre Awards Nominations Announced

Nominations have been announced for the 2025 Sydney Theatre Awards, which will be presented at an industry gala ceremony on Monday 19 January 2026 at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre.

Nominations in the 28 categories were spread across 56 different productions, which played on Sydney stages during 2025. Leading the list with nine nominations is The Edit (Unlikely Productions, Legit Theatre Company and 25A), while Grief is the Thing with Feathers (Belvoir and Andrew Henry Presents) and Sistren (Green Door Theatre in association with Griffin Theatre Company) received eight. Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical (Hayes Theatre Co) received seven nominations, and The Player Kings (Sport for Jove) and Bright Star (Sport for Jove in association with Hayes Theatre Co) both received six.

The nominees for Best Mainstage Production are Grief is the Thing with Feathers (Belvoir and Andrew Henry Presents), Jacky (Belvoir), Picnic at Hanging Rock (Sydney Theatre Company) and The Player Kings (Sport for Jove). The nominees for Best Independent Production are Cruise (Fruit Box Theatre), The Edit (Unlikely Productions, Legit Theatre Company and 25A), Fewer Emergencies (The Company Theatre) and Sistren (Green Door Theatre in association with Griffin Theatre Company). Vying for Best Production of a Musical are Bright Star (Sport for Jove in association with Hayes Theatre Co), Hadestown (Jones Theatrical and Opera Australia), Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical (Hayes Theatre Co) and The Producers (Joshua Robson Productions in association with Hayes Theatre Co).

Cassie Tongue, who regularly reviews for The Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald and the Saturday Paper, said, “Despite a financial crisis in the arts, Sydney’s theatre scene continues to keep live performance alive across all corners of the city — offering entertainment, insight and community to all of us who love to sit in dark rooms and experience a group of artists hold up mirrors and show us hundreds of different ways to be human, working through big feelings and big ideas that remind us that we are not alone. Bright, ambitious and honest gems abound in the list of nominations, even in a year where making any work at all feels like a small miracle: this is a sector of which we can all be immensely proud.”

“Across 2025 there was a desire to expand the richness and diversity of storytelling we see in Sydney’s independent theatres,” added Justin Clarke, Editor of Theatre Thoughts. “Through creatives across the sector facing the challenges arising from the rising cost of living, we saw breakout solo performances, gripping two-handers and compelling narratives told in new and exciting ways. Alongside the revisiting of contemporary plays, there was a large focus on making new and original works with diverse voices at the forefront. Ultimately, the independent artists and creatives showed once more that they’re the true backbone of the arts industry in Australia.”

The Sydney Theatre Awards was founded in 2005 by a group of Sydney’s leading theatre critics to celebrate the strength and diversity of Sydney’s theatre artists and productions. Judging panels include prominent industry specialists and theatre critics who see all eligible productions in their sector and vote on the nominations.  

For more information and to see the list of all nominees, visit sydneytheatreawards.com

Legit Theatre Co. and Unlikely Productions present The Edit, photo credit Robert Catto