UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre
The UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award is an accolade presented annually at the UK Theatre Awards. The finalists for the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award 2024 are:
- Hall for Cornwall
- Octagon Theatre Bolton
- Polka Theatre
The winner will be announced at this year’s UK Theatre Awards taking place on Sunday 20 October at 8 Northumberland Avenue.
“Local theatres make a vital contribution to the cultural, social and economic health of communities across the UK. It’s fantastic to celebrate the theatres that are going above and beyond to provide a welcoming space for audiences, community groups and creatives. With a huge array of brilliant theatres to choose from, we know how competitive this category was, and want to thank everyone who put themselves forward.
“This year’s finalists are three very different venues that stood out for unique reasons, but there is a common quality among them; their passion and dedication to giving back to their local communities and supporters. Congratulations to the finalists and thank you to the panel who will be visiting all three venues in the coming weeks and making the difficult decision of which venue will be crowned the overall winner at the UK Theatre Awards in October.”
Claire Walker & Hannah Essex, Co-CEOs of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre
Previous Winners
2023: Nottingham Playhouse
In 2023, the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award went to Nottingham Playhouse. Their submission emphasised the breadth of their offer and how every department is encouraged to push the boundaries, challenge norms and consider accessibility and inclusion at every step.
From their diverse and ambitious programming to a consolidated programme of work experience, placements and apprenticeships to develop skilled backstage staff, new and innovative accessibility tools, from staff training in EDI and Dementia Awareness and ensuring financial accessibility for everyone to theatre, Nottingham Playhouse is a space for everyone, at the heart of the city.
We asked the Nottingham Playhouse team what winning the Award meant to them:
It means the world to have won this award. The hard work, warm welcome and commitment to inclusion that are at the heart of Nottingham Playhouse would happen anyway – they are central to who we are – but to have that recognised externally is a real boost to our whole team and reminds them how their dedication has a real impact on people’s lives.
‘Most welcoming’ means so much more than a friendly face and helpful team these days. It is ensuring that we do our very best to engage our many communities on a basis that is meaningful and accessible to them.
2022: Leeds Playhouse
Leeds Playhouse won the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award 2022 for their inviting, engaging, accessible and inclusive creative environment and being the first Theatre of Sanctuary for refugees and those seeking asylum.
2019: Storyhouse, Chester
The 2019 winner of the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award was Storyhouse in Chester, a multi-arts venue containing two theatre spaces.
Our wonderful, creative communities and visitors are integral to Storyhouse’s welcoming atmosphere. This award is symbolic of the vital role a cultural centre plays in a community and we are delighted to be recognised.
Andrew Bentley, CEO, Storyhouse
2018: The Mill at Sonning
In 2018, the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award was decided by public vote.
After an unprecedented 56,000 votes were cast by members of the public, the overall winner was The Mill at Sonning, the only dinner theatre in the UK, located on the banks of the River Thames.
Being able to say that we’re the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre has undoubtedly attracted more people to visit us and long may that continue.
Sally Hughes, Managing Director, The Mill at Sonning
The regional and national winners of the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award 2018 were:
- East: Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch
- East Midlands: Buxton Opera House
- London: Orange Tree Theatre
- North East: Newcastle Theatre Royal
- Northern Ireland: Grand Opera House, Belfast
- North West: Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
- Scotland: Pitlochry Festival Theatre
- South East: The Mill at Sonning
- South West: Arts Centre, Swindon
- Wales: New Theatre, Cardiff
- West Midlands: New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme
- Yorkshire and the Humber: Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
