An influential panel of judges has been announced for the inaugural Great British Theatres Awards, launched to mark Theatres Trust’s 50th anniversary.
The awards will take place at Central Hall Westminster on Monday 2 November 2026 and will celebrate the buildings that support creativity, community and culture across the UK.
Rather than focusing on performers, the awards shine a spotlight on theatre spaces themselves, recognising their role in the nation’s cultural and social life.
Nominations are currently open and will close on Thursday 11 June 2026.
Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust, said: “The response to the inaugural Great British Theatres Awards has been extraordinary, with applications already arriving from every corner of the UK. These awards recognise the vital role theatre buildings play in the cultural and social life of our communities. We are incredibly proud to have assembled such a distinguished judging panel. Their combined expertise and experience reflect the depth and ambition of these awards.”
The judging panel brings together leading voices from across multiple disciplines including theatre-making, planning, engineering and accessibility.
Panel members include Mark Davy, Annie Hampson OBE, Debbie Hibberd, Emily Lim, Sara Rajeswaran, Michèle Taylor MBE, Obioma Ugoala, Nicola Walls and Andrew Wylie.
The awards feature ten open categories recognising excellence in theatre buildings, including Great New Build, Great Renovation, Great Green Theatre and Great Community Connection.
Two additional honours, the Great British Theatre 2026 award and the Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award, will be selected by the judging panel.
A shortlist of nominees will be announced in September, with winners revealed at the November ceremony in London.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
