Finalists Announced for Inaugural Great British Theatres Awards 2026

The finalists for the inaugural Great British Theatres Awards have been announced, recognising  the theatres and their champions making an outstanding contribution to the UK’s cultural life.  Following an overwhelming response of nearly 200 nominations from theatres, cultural  organisations and communities across the country, the finalists represent the breadth, ambition  and vital role of theatre buildings in towns and cities nationwide. 

The finalists are as follows: 

Great New Build 

• @sohoplace, London 
• BEAM, Hertford 
• Brixton House, London 
• The Nest, Chichester Festival Theatre 
• Shakespeare North, Prescot 

These finalists showed how bold new architecture can be rooted in place, accessible to  everyone and guided by environmental responsibility. From flexible new auditoria to buildings  inspired by historic playhouses, the finalists demonstrated how a new physical space can  successfully nurture artists, regenerate its surroundings, and become a civic destination. 

Great Renovation 

• The Arts Theatre, Cambridge 
• Bradford Live, Bradford 
• Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
• The Granville Theatre, Ramsgate 

Renovations can preserve a theatre’s character while transforming accessibility, comfort,  technical capability and sustainability. From rescuing buildings that have been empty for many  years through to carefully reinvigorating much-loved theatres, the finalists showed how long standing venues can be equipped for new generations without losing what makes them special. 

Great Amateur Theatre 

• The Questors Theatre, London 
• Seaford Little Theatre, East Sussex 
• Sherborne Studio Theatre, Dorset 
• The Swan, Yeovil 

From replacing leaking roofs and insulating draughty buildings to installing hearing loops,  flexible wheelchair seating and captioning facilities, these finalists showed how amateur  theatres can play an outsized role in connecting their communities. They represent the breadth  of extraordinary ambition showed by volunteer-led theatres.  

Great Found Space 

• The Dipping House, Stoke-on-Trent 
• Front Room Theatre, Weston-super-Mare 
• The Horton, Epsom 
• Lower Marsh Arts Club (formerly The Glitch), London 
• Nyth, Bangor 

Previously a former restaurant, a pottery shed, a redundant church, a historic chapel, and an old  greengrocer, these spaces have a new life as thriving theatres that support artists and  communities in coming together, breathing new life into derelict spaces. 

Great Community Connection 

• Cast, Doncaster 
• Citizens Theatre, Glasgow 
• Derby Theatre, Derby 
• Eden Court, Inverness 
• Hoxton Hall, London 
• Polka Children’s Theatre, London 
• The Theatre Chipping Norton 
• Wolverhampton Grand, Wolverhampton

From school meals and free tickets to BSL cafés and dementia programmes, these finalists show  the wide-ranging ways that theatres can become places of connection and belonging for their  community. They have demonstrated impactful and genuine relationships with people who  might otherwise feel excluded from cultural life. 

Great Use of Space 

• Alexandra Palace, London – for its innovative use of its auditorium 
• Battersea Arts Centre, London – for its building takeovers 
• National Theatre, London – for the Natural Dye and Wellbeing Garden•Theatre Royal Plymouth, Plymouth – for Summer in the Scene Dock 

These finalists brought to life overlooked corners of their theatre, from a terrace growing  natural costume dyes to dance and beatboxing spilling onto staircases, a scene dock became  festival stages, and an auditorium transformed into television studios and sporting arena. 

Great Placemaking Partner 

• Glasgow City Council 
• Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council 
• Lambeth Council 
• London Borough of Harrow 

Through capital investment, policy, partnerships and the creative use of vacant spaces, these  finalists are regenerating town centres, strengthening local economies and building civic pride  through their partnership and support of local theatres. 

Great Green Theatre 

• Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester 
• Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre, Dundee 
• New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme 
• Nottingham Playhouse 

The above finalists combined sustainable and energy-saving adaptations to their buildings along  with carbon literacy training, sustainable production practices and environmental initiatives  involving their artists, audiences and communities. 

Great Public Space 

• Gosforth Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne – for its café 
• Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne – for its community garden 
• Polka Children’s Theatre, London – for the Y C Chan Playden
• Storyhouse, Chester – for its social spaces 

Having redefined what a theatre’s public spaces can be, these finalists’ cafés, gardens, play  areas and libraries provide welcoming places to work, play, meet others or simply keep warm,  often without visitors needing to buy a ticket. 

Great British Theatres Shining Star 

• The Amulet Centre Limited 
• Leith Theatre Trust 
• Daniel Shrimpton, Joseph Rowntree Theatre 
• Graham Whitlock, Manor Pavilion Theatre 

Whether through campaigning or leadership, these finalists have worked tirelessly to secure the  futures of their local theatres. They represent people who know the importance of thriving  theatres to the vitality and wellbeing of communities. 

Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust, says,The Great British Theatres Awards finalists  represent the greatest cultural spaces and inspiring people this country has to offer. Theatres  Trust knew there was a need to celebrate these theatres and the people who keep them buzzing,  but the number of nominations was truly overwhelming. The judges had an incredibly  challenging time choosing the finalists, and I want to extend my congratulations to every one of  them. I can’t wait to celebrate our Great British Theatres in style this November. 

The inaugural awards form part of Theatres Trust’s 50thanniversary celebrations, marking five  decades of championing the UK’s theatres and the communities that depend on them. Two  additional honours will also be awarded at the inaugural ceremony. The Great British Theatre  2026 award will be selected by the judging panel from the category winners, and the Great  British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award will be selected by Theatres Trust. 

The winners will be revealed at the inaugural Great British Theatres Awards ceremony at Central  Hall Westminster on Monday 2ndNovember 2026. 

Main image: Dipping House An Audience with Toby Jones - Photo by Andrew Billington

Back to HOME