British shipping company Cunard was the main partner at the 50th Olivier Awards, holding a star-studded ceremony at London's Royal Albert Hall.
Cunard has partnered with the Society of London Theatre for seven years, bringing the magic of the West End to sea with performances, award-winning theatre, and exclusive cultural events. In 2025, the Olivier Award-winning musical Come From Away was performed at sea for the first time, alongside productions aboard the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, as well as the popular Pride and Prejudice (Sort Of) on Cunard's newest ship, the Queen Anne.
The special London Theatre at Sea, in collaboration with the Olivier Awards, returns next month for its third edition aboard the world's only ocean liner, the Queen Mary 2, offering guests a unique transatlantic voyage with behind-the-scenes talks, workshops and unforgettable performances.
Cunard added its distinctive touch to the 50th anniversary celebration with its iconic bellhops, who played a starring role. They greeted guests, posed for photographs, and later joined the presenter on stage to hand out awards.
The ceremony included a special performance to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Cameron Mackintosh's production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera , as well as a spectacular finale celebrating 20 years of Wicked in the West End. Other performances during the evening included the Cunard Award nominees for Best New Musical: Paddington The Musical , Shucked , and The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry .
Cunard guests aboard its iconic “Queens” experienced the event at sea with live broadcasts of the ceremony, themed cocktails, interactive activities, and red carpet-style photo opportunities.
Katie McAlister, Cunard's chairwoman, said: “Cunard’s connection to theatre, the arts and culture has been part of our rich history for 185 years. It is a privilege to be the lead partner of the Olivier Awards in their 50th anniversary, as these awards celebrate the very best of British theatre and its global impact, from the talent on stage to the creativity behind it.”.
The London Theatre at Sea event , in collaboration with the Olivier Awards, will set sail from Southampton to New York from May 22 to 29, 2026.
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