The finalists for the inaugural Great British Theatres Awards have been announced, celebrating the theatres and individuals making an outstanding contribution to the UK’s cultural life.
Organised by Theatres Trust as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, the awards attracted nearly 200 nominations from theatres, cultural organisations and communities across the country.
The finalists span a wide range of categories, recognising everything from new theatre buildings and major restoration projects to community engagement, environmental leadership and the individuals helping secure the future of local venues.
Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust, said: “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 Great British Theatre Award finalists are:
Great New Build
• @sohoplace, London
• BEAM, Hertford
• Brixton House, London
• The Nest, Chichester Festival Theatre
• Shakespeare North, Prescot
Great Renovation
• The Arts Theatre, Cambridge
• Bradford Live, Bradford
• Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
• The Granville Theatre, Ramsgate
Great Amateur Theatre
• The Questors Theatre, London
• Seaford Little Theatre, East Sussex
• Sherborne Studio Theatre, Dorset
• The Swan, Yeovil
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
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
Great Use of Space
• Alexandra Palace, London
• Battersea Arts Centre, London
• National Theatre, London
• Theatre Royal Plymouth, Plymouth
Great Placemaking Partner
• Glasgow City Council
• Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
• Lambeth Council
• London Borough of Harrow
Great Green Theatre
• Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester
• Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre, Dundee
• New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme
• Nottingham Playhouse
Great Public Space
• Gosforth Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne
• Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne
• Polka Children’s Theatre, London
• Storyhouse, Chester
Great British Theatres Shining Star
• The Amulet Centre Limited
• Leith Theatre Trust
• Daniel Shrimpton, Joseph Rowntree Theatre
• Graham Whitlock, Manor Pavilion Theatre
In addition to the category awards, the judging panel will select the overall Great British Theatre 2026 winner from among the category champions, while a separate Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award will also be presented.
Winners will be revealed at the inaugural awards ceremony at Central Hall Westminster on 2 November 2026.
More information can be found here.
