Nottingham Playhouse, Theatr Clwyd and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds have been announced as the finalists for the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award 2026.
The winner will be revealed at the UK Theatre Awards, which return to 8 Northumberland Avenue on Monday 12 October with support from headline sponsor Encore.
The award recognises theatres that demonstrate exceptional commitment to accessibility, inclusion and community engagement. UK Theatre member venues were invited to apply, with finalists selected based on factors including programming, outreach, audience development, workforce practices and inclusivity.
The judging panel will now visit each venue in person before selecting the overall winner. Visits typically include tours of the building, meetings with staff, participation in activities and conversations with audiences.
Hannah Essex, Co-CEO of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre, said: “Theatres thrive when they are deeply connected to the people and places they serve, and this year’s finalists – Nottingham Playhouse, Theatr Clwyd and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds – have each demonstrated an outstanding commitment to creating welcoming spaces for audiences, artists, staff and their local communities. We are proud to celebrate their ambition, leadership and commitment to making theatre accessible, relevant and inclusive for everyone.
“Congratulations to all three finalists on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you to our judging panel, who now face the exciting challenge of selecting this year’s winner ahead of the UK Theatre Awards in October.”
Stephanie Sirr MBE, Chief Executive of Nottingham Playhouse, said: “The team has worked tremendously hard to keep Nottingham Playhouse accessible, inclusive and welcoming in the face of swingeing funding cuts and the significant pressures felt by the community we are proud to serve. It means the world to the team to be honoured with this shortlisting, which reflects our commitment to be a place where everybody feels they belong.”
The Theatr Clwyd team added: “Our community has always been at the heart of Theatr Clwyd. They are who we work hard for every day to deliver an amazing theatrical experience. This nomination is a credit to our entire company who place the welcoming of our audiences and community at the core of their work.”
Owen Calvert-Lyons, Artistic Director and CEO of Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be nominated for this award. This nomination is testament to the dedication of our brilliant staff team and particularly to our team of 120 volunteer stewards who give up their time to ensure that audiences have a great time when visiting Theatre Royal.”
Nottingham Playhouse previously won the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award in 2023 and was named Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards 2025. Theatr Clwyd, Wales’ largest producing theatre, recently completed a major redevelopment project, while Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds continues its work as both a historic Regency theatre and a contemporary producing venue serving audiences across Suffolk.
Listings and ticket information can be found here .
