There are quite a few awards ceremonies in the theatre industry. Most celebrate performers and creatives, while the theatres themselves, the buildings, the people keeping them open, and the communities filling them with life, rarely get their own moment in the spotlight. That changed this Monday with the inaugural Great British Theatres Awards, organised by Theatres Trust as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. With Marisha Wallace hosting, a room full of people from across the theatre industry, and some fabulous performances along the way, it made for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Central Hall Westminster is a very grand setting for a celebration. I was last there for the Offies in March, and it was lovely to be back among such a broad mix of theatre people. Representatives from the nominated venues were joined by performers, creatives, and people working across the industry, all coming together to celebrate the places that make their work possible.
Marisha looked incredible in a beautiful dress with an enormous bow, joking that this was her Halloween costume: the gift of theatre. Opening with ‘Cabaret’ from Cabaret, she shared that gift in spectacular style. For those of us who hadn’t caught her acclaimed performance as Sally Bowles, getting to hear her sing it live was a treat. Freed from the character’s emotional turmoil, it became a fun, celebratory opening number, with Marisha clearly enjoying herself. Her warmth, humour, and lovely Southern lilt made her a wonderful host throughout.
The awards themselves offered a fascinating introduction to theatres I knew very little about. Categories covered everything from sustainability and accessibility to inventive uses of space and the connections theatres build with their communities. Hearing people talk about the work behind these places made the recognition feel very well deserved.
Storyhouse in Chester, winner of Great Public Space, combines a theatre, independent cinema, and library in a building people can use throughout the day. The National Theatre’s Natural Dye and Wellbeing Garden took Great Use of Space, while Chichester Festival Theatre won Great Green Theatre. There were reminders throughout that a theatre’s contribution can stretch well beyond its auditorium.
Some of the most memorable stories came from smaller organisations. Claybody Theatre’s Dipping House in Stoke-on-Trent, winner of Great Found Space, had begun as an empty industrial building with precious little in the way of facilities. Its acceptance speech included a wonderfully enthusiastic celebration of finally getting toilets. There’s something rather lovely about an awards ceremony where installing somewhere warm to have a wee gets its own moment of glory.
Sherborne Studio Theatre won Great Amateur Theatre, while the Shining Star award was shared by Leith Theatre Trust and Daniel Shrimpton of York’s Joseph Rowntree Theatre. These were stories of years of persistence, fundraising, volunteering, and refusing to give up on a place people loved. The affection behind the speeches was unmistakable.
For me, seeing Polka Theatre recognised was particularly special. It shared Great Community Connection with Eden Court in Inverness, and I couldn’t have been happier. I grew up in Wimbledon and have been going to this wonderful children’s theatre since I was very small. Hearing its team talk about welcoming children and families, providing free spaces to play, and making theatre accessible from the youngest age brought home just how much it continues to offer. It holds a very special place in my heart, and it was lovely to see that work celebrated. We also got a preview of its forthcoming Peter Pan, with original music performed by a company of singers, beatboxers, and rappers.
Another musical highlight came from Keziah Ibe, who made her professional debut as Eliza Doolittle in Chichester Festival Theatre’s My Fair Lady this summer. Her performance of ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ was gorgeous, with soaring notes that prompted Marisha to admit afterwards that she didn’t know if she could sing that high. Coming from her, that’s quite a compliment.
The presenters brought plenty of personality, too. Su Pollard was a particular delight, leading the room in a ‘Hi-de-Hi!’ exchange that those of us around 45 and upwards thoroughly enjoyed. I just about scraped into that demographic myself, remembering it thanks to my big sisters watching the programme. There is clearly still plenty of mileage in getting a room full of theatre people to shout ‘Ho-de-Ho!’.
Other than a few slightly overlong speeches, the evening’s only truly uncomfortable and somewhat bizarre moment came when Alfie Boe, best known for playing Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, arrived to a burst of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ from the band. He seemed genuinely annoyed by the choice, asking why they were playing it and calling them ‘idiots’ before continuing with the presentation. The band took it in their stride, looking slightly bemused, and the evening carried on quite happily.
Among the bigger building projects recognised, @sohoplace won Great New Build, while Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre collected both Great Renovation and the evening’s top honour, Great British Theatre 2026. Hearing about the long journey to reopening the Citizens made those wins especially satisfying. Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council also received Great Placemaking Partner for its work bringing Shakespeare North Playhouse to Prescot.
James Graham presented Julie Hesmondhalgh with the Lifetime Achievement Award, and her acceptance speech beautifully captured what had been running through the whole evening: the joy of theatre. She spoke about the pleasure of being moved, challenged, and connected, and about how that joy sustains people through the endless practical difficulties of keeping theatres going. After so many stories of hard work and determination, it was a lovely reminder of what makes it worthwhile.
Marisha rounded things off with ‘Don’t Let This Be You’, from her Etta James-inspired music project James Etta, written with Toby Gad. Having recently interviewed her about the project, it was fabulous to hear the song live. She then led us in a final singalong to Tina Turner’s ‘The Best’ and sent us out on a high.
Theatres Trust put together a brilliant inaugural event: well organised, full of warmth, and packed with people whose enthusiasm for theatre was infectious. I arrived knowing relatively few of the nominated venues and left wanting to visit rather more of them. It was a real success, and a wonderful evening celebrating the places, and people, that give us all so much joy.
For more information about the Great British Theatres Awards and the work of Theatres Trust, visit theatrestrust.org.uk.
Words by Nick Barr
Ceremony Photography by Stephen Pover
Backstage Photography by Piers Allardyce
