Finalists revealed for Great British Theatres Awards

Exclusive: The finalists for the inaugural Great British Theatres Awards have been announced, with theatres and individuals from across the UK recognised across ten categories.

The awards, organised by Theatres Trust, received almost 200 nominations from theatres, cultural organisations and communities around the country. The ceremony will take place at Central Hall Westminster on Monday 2 November 2026 at 7.30pm.

Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust, said: “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.”

The awards form part of Theatres Trust’s 50th anniversary celebrations, marking 50 years of the organisation campaigning for the protection of theatres and supporting the communities that use them.

Two further honours will also be presented at the ceremony. The Great British Theatre 2026 award will be selected by the judging panel from the winners of the ten categories, while the Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award will be selected by Theatres Trust.

The winners will be announced at Central Hall Westminster on Monday 2 November 2026.

Full shortlist

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 – for its innovative use of its auditorium
Battersea Arts Centre, London – for its building takeovers
National Theatre, London – for the Natural Dye and Wellbeing Garden
Theatre Royal Plymouth, Plymouth – for Summer in the Scene Dock

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 – for its café
Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne – for its community garden
Polka Children’s Theatre, London – for the Y C Chan Playden
Storyhouse, Chester – for its social spaces

Great British Theatres Shining Star

The Amulet Centre Limited
Leith Theatre Trust
Daniel Shrimpton, Joseph Rowntree Theatre
Graham Whitlock, Manor Pavilion Theatre