Hollywood star Rachel Zegler and Bristol Old Vic’s Hilson Agbangbe led the winners at the eighth Stage Debut Awards, held September 28 in London, which celebrated emerging UK theatre talent.
Rachel Zegler, Hilson Agbangbe Win at Stage Debut Awards 2025
Zegler won the night’s top prize, Best West End Debut Performer, for her role as Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd’s revival of Evita at the London Palladium. The public-voted award placed her ahead of a high-profile shortlist that included her co-star Diego Andres Rodriguez, Tosin Cole and Heather Agyepong (Shifters), and Kat Ronney (Titanique).
Agbangbe was honored with Best Performer in a Play for his portrayal of Sonny in Wonder Boy at the Bristol Old Vic, sharing the win with Lucy Karczewski for her role in Stereophonic at the Duke of York’s Theatre. Judges praised Agbangbe for a “skillful, emotionally articulate performance” as the play’s stammering young protagonist.
The ceremony, hosted by comedian Julian Clary in association with Netflix, recognized 46 nominees across eight categories, honoring debut performers, composers, designers, writers, lyricists, and directors whose breakthrough work premiered across the UK.
Other winners included Richard Mylan (Best Director, Mumfighter), Milly Sweeney and Ava Pickett (Best Writer for Water Colour and 1536), Leesa Tulley (Best Musical Performer, Why Am I So Single?), Yve Blake (Best Composer/Lyricist or Book Writer, Fangirls), Hannah Schmidt (Best Designer, The Passenger and Personal Values), and Mark Rosenblatt (Best Creative West End Debut, Giant).
The evening featured live performances from West End shows and closed with a surprise finale from Magic Mike Live, rounding off a celebration of rising artists shaping the future of UK theatre.