Most Welcoming Theatre finalists announced

Three theatres have been shortlisted for this year’s Most Welcoming Theatre gong at the UK Theatre Awards.

Dundee Rep and Scottish Dance Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, and New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich were chosen by an industry panel, following 40 online submissions for the award from venues across the UK.

Building design, how audiences are greeted on arrival, and outreach projects were all considered as judges assessed how welcoming the theatres are in the areas of ‘place’, ‘people’ and ‘programme’.

Jon Gilchrist and Stephanie Sirr, Co-Presidents of UK Theatre, said: “This year’s finalists are three very different venues from different parts of the country.

“What they have in common is a mission to take high-quality work beyond their walls and out into their local communities, as well as making their physical spaces as outward-looking and easily navigable as possible.”

The winner will be announced at the UK Theatre Awards on Sunday 23 October at London’s Guildhall. It will be the first awards’ ceremony since 2019, when Storyhouse in Cheshire took the prize.