NEWS: Nottingham Playhouse named UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre
7 November 2023
Nottingham Playhouse has been named the Most Welcoming Theatre at the UK Theatre Awards 2023.
The Award was presented at a hosted by Zoe Birkett at a ceremony held at the Guildhall, London on Sunday 8 October. The Award recognises work by Nottingham Playhouse across three areas: place, people and programme. Following a detailed submission, an independent judging panel visited the theatre to see for themselves how Nottingham Playhouse provides a ‘place where everyone belongs’.
The panel considered areas such as ease of physical access to the building; connection to the local community; how audiences and creatives are made to feel welcome; diversity and inclusivity of programming, and how theatre is made accessible to all through various initiatives such as Pay What You Can.
The other shortlisted winners in the category were Leicester Curve and the National Youth Theatre.
Stephanie Sirr, Chief Executive Nottingham Playhouse, said: “Being welcoming to us is all about genuine inclusion. We’re thrilled that the very hard work and dedication of the whole Playhouse team to achieve this has been recognised.”
Adam Penford was kindly invited to present the award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre to Mark Gatiss. Gatiss is a writer, director, producer, author and actor, and regional theatre has been at the heart of his long and varied career.