Imagine Theatre has been awarded an Advanced rating by the Theatre Green Book for its recent production of Sleeping Beauty at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre.
The Theatre Green Book sets standards to help theatre productions reduce their environmental impact, with the Advanced rating recognising productions that take clear and practical steps towards high levels of sustainable practice.
The carbon neutral company has produced more than 260 pantomimes across the UK over the past 25 years, with sustainability now embedded into its creative and operational processes.
For the Stafford Gatehouse Theatre production, 100% of the set was reused after being repaired and refreshed, keeping nearly two tonnes of material in continued use.
Around 75% of the costumes were reused or adapted, while almost 80% of the 300 props used came from existing stock designed to last between five and ten years.
Transport was carefully planned to reduce journeys, lower carbon fuel was used where possible, and batteries and materials were recycled responsibly.
Imagine Theatre also ensured that any outsourced technical suppliers worked in line with its sustainability ethos and held strong environmental policies.
Joint CEO and Managing Director Steve Boden said, “Sustainability is at the heart of how we make our shows. With its cyclical nature, pantomime is uniquely placed to work in this way, and we are proud to be leading the way in the sector to achieve this advanced status. While not every production can avoid new builds, our focus remains on making practical choices, creating a working environment and introducing processes that reduce waste and support long-term use. This production shows what can be achieved when we do that. We know there is always more to do, and we will keep building on this, improving year on year to ensure that our productions remain both high quality and responsibly made.”
Joint CEO Sarah Boden added, “Imagine Theatre has been on a carbon neutral (via offsetting) journey for around five years. While long-term net zero targets matter, they’re headline figures across an entire business. We wanted to dig deeper, could we make a meaningful difference on a show-by-show basis? Setting off on a journey like this isn’t a five-minute job, but it felt like the natural next step. So, during the 2025/26 panto season, we decided to put it to the test. We’re thrilled with the outcome”.
The recognition marks a significant milestone in Imagine Theatre’s ongoing commitment to responsible production across all of its work.
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