NEWS: Nottingham Playhouse wins Theatre of the Year Award 2025

In a ceremony at the The Royal Opera House, the award was presented to Chief Executive Stephanie Sirr and Artistic Director Adam Penford, in the hotly contested category.

The Theatre of the Year award is open to theatres of all sizes anywhere in the UK. The judges commended both the winners for their strong artistic leadership and thriving off-stage programmes supporting local artists and individuals in their local communities.

The category considers artistic excellence, financial resilience, innovative business practices, including sustainability, and workforce conditions. It recognises work both on-stage and off, including community and artist support programmes, apprenticeships and audience development initiatives.

 Stephanie Sirr MBE, Chief Executive, said:

“We’re really delighted to win the prestigious Theatre of the Year Award. It’s fantastic for the staff, Board, creatives and freelancers that work so hard and with such dedication. It also celebrates our much-needed sponsors and supporters. And it recognises that we are producing world-class work in Nottingham.”

Artistic Director at Nottingham Playhouse, Adam Penford, said:

“We’ve been bold in our programming choices and that artistic risk has paid off in audience attendance and the raising of important issues beyond the theatre. The majority of our productions in 2024 were new plays, which goes to show that you don’t just have to rely on classic titles in order to attract an audience.”

Nottingham Playhouse was also shortlisted in the Campaign of the Year for its work on Punch, a new award which honours the behind the scenes work of marketing and PR.

James Graham was also presented with his previously announced No 1 Award in The Stage 100 list and referenced his work on Punch at Nottingham Playhouse in his acceptance speech. His citation in The Stage read:

“This is a playwright with his finger on the pulse – who always taps into the stories of today and their relevance in society. And the fact that his work reaches beyond the confines of theatre speaks volumes about his power as a writer, and his influence, which is what The Stage 100 list is all about.”

The ceremony was hosted by Rob Madge (My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?)) and Ellie-May Sheridan (London Tide, National Theatre and winner of The Stage Debut Award 2024).

Photo credit: Alex Brenner