Manchester Royal Exchange wins at Stage Awards

Royal Exchange Manchester has won Regional Theatre of the Year in the Stage Awards 2016.

The theatre won in a category that also included Chichester Festival Theatre and Royal and Derngate in Northampton.

Producer Sonia Friedman won Producer of the Year for the second year running. Friedman produced Benedict Cumberbatch's Hamlet at the Barbican and has brought Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to the stage for 2016.

The 44 seat theatre The Other Room in Cardiff was given Fringe Theatre of the Year – the first time a non-London theatre has won. War Horse China won the International Award, while the Almeida Theatre won London Theatre of the Year.

Alistair Smith, print editor of The Stage said: "It’s been another great 12 months, and another really tricky set of decisions for our judging panel, and I’d like to congratulate all our winners and shortlisted organisations."

The Stage Awards shortlist is picked from nominations received through open public nominations. This year an industry focus group of 50 people steered the shortlist.

The full list of winners

Regional Theatre of the Year
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

London Theatre of the Year
Almeida Theatre

Fringe Theatre of the Year
The Other Room, Cardiff

Producer of the Year
Sonia Friedman

School of the Year
Arts Educational Schools London

Theatre building of the Year
NT Future

International Award
War Horse China

Unsung Hero
Roger Miller