The Society for Theatre Research has announced joint winners of its Theatre Book Prize for the first time since the award was established.
The 2026 prize, recognising books carrying a 2025 copyright, has been shared between Martin Sherman’s On the Boardwalk: A Memoir, published by Inkandescent, and Matthew McFrederick’s Staging Beckett in London, published by Methuen Drama.
The winners were revealed by Michael Burden, Chair of the Society for Theatre Research, during a ceremony at Jermyn Street Theatre in London on 5 November.
Sherman’s award was collected on his behalf by Nathan Evans of publisher Inkandescent.
This year’s judging panel comprised playwright and director Dr John Godber OBE, theatre critic Maryam Philpott and Tony Award-winning producer Thomas Hopkins.
The two winning books were selected from a shortlist that also included Tim Curry’s Vagabond, The Methuen Drama Handbook of Women in Contemporary British Theatre edited by Marissia Fragkou and Rebecca Benzie, Siobhan Keenan’s Richard Burbage and the Shakespearean Stage, and Gabriela Minden’s Modernism after the Ballets Russes: Movement in the British Theatre.
Established in 1998 as part of the Society for Theatre Research’s Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Theatre Book Prize aims to encourage the writing and publication of books exploring British and British-related theatre history and practice.
Awarded annually, the prize recognises work that brings the theatre of the past to life while documenting contemporary performance for future generations.
The ceremony also paid tribute to Howard Loxton and his 25 years of contribution to the Theatre Book Prize. Loxton, a long-standing and respected member of the Society for Theatre Research, died on 22 June 2026.
It was also announced that the judging panel for the 2027 prize, covering books published in 2026, will comprise Aliya Al-Hassan, Susan Elkin and James Martin Charlton.
Submissions for books carrying a 2026 copyright date will close on 29 January 2027.
