Citizens Theatre takes the crown at the first Great British Theatres Awards

By Grace Hatchell

Now then, theatre buildings put up with a lot. Dramatic entrances, emotional departures, and somebody opening a bag of boiled sweets with all the subtlety of a demolition crew.

It’s about time they had an awards ceremony of their own.

The inaugural Great British Theatres Awards have celebrated the buildings—and the people behind them—that keep theatre thriving across the country. Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre emerged with both Great Renovation and the evening’s highest honour, Great British Theatre 2026.

Two awards. They’ll need to reinforce the mantelpiece.

Organised by Theatres Trust as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, the ceremony brought the theatre sector to Central Hall Westminster, with West End and Broadway star Marisha Wallace hosting. Nearly 200 nominations came in from across the country, giving the judges plenty to consider.

I struggle to choose a sandwich at lunchtime. I wouldn’t have fancied their job.

Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre earns a double celebration

Citizens Theatre’s redevelopment impressed the judges by preserving its historic Victorian auditorium while introducing improved accessibility, modern facilities and new creative spaces.

A reimagined public court helps connect the street with the theatre’s interior, opening the building up to the community around it.

That community connection helped secure the overall award, with the judges recognising the theatre’s commitment to accessibility, inclusion and engagement alongside its architectural transformation.

Theatres Trust CEO Joshua McTaggart described the return of a reinvigorated Citizens as a boost for the Gorbals, Glasgow and the wider theatre community.

A grand auditorium is lovely, of course. Making sure people can actually get inside and feel welcome is what gives it a future.

From Soho to Stoke, buildings get their moment

London’s @sohoplace won Great New Build. The first purpose-built West End theatre in 50 years was recognised for its innovative design, accessibility and environmental responsibility, including its BREEAM Excellent certification.

Meanwhile, Great Found Space went to The Dipping House in Stoke-on-Trent, where Claybody Theatre has turned a former industrial building on a disused pottery site into a permanent 130-seat venue.

After a decade of working in temporary spaces, the company now has a home of its own. There’s something rather wonderful about a building getting a second act.

Sherborne Studio Theatre in Dorset collected Great Amateur Theatre. Originally a corrugated iron Baptist chapel, it has been transformed by the volunteer-led Amateur Players of Sherborne, with improvements including new seating, insulation, a hearing loop and better access.

Anyone who has ever helped run an amateur theatre will know that “volunteer-led” can cover everything from balancing the accounts to finding out why the ladies’ loo has started making that noise again.

A shared award for bringing people together

The standard of entries for Great Community Connection was so strong that the judges chose two winners: Eden Court in Inverness and London’s Polka Theatre.

Eden Court was recognised for creative programmes reaching remote schools and communities, helping tackle rural isolation and providing inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ and disabled people, as well as rural artists.

Polka Theatre earned recognition for its work with children and families through affordable tickets, inclusive programming and outreach. Its free play areas and role as a Warm Welcome space also make it a resource beyond performance times.

That’s the thing about a theatre: its contribution doesn’t have to stop when the curtain comes down.

Gardens, gathering places and greener stages

The National Theatre’s Natural Dye and Wellbeing Garden won Great Use of Space, having transformed an underused terrace into somewhere supporting sustainable costume production, biodiversity and wellbeing.

Around 20 plant species are grown for natural, non-toxic dyes, while the garden also offers a peaceful spot for staff and visitors.

I’ve managed to keep a supermarket basil plant alive for four days, so I’m suitably impressed.

Chichester Festival Theatre took Great Green Theatre for embedding sustainability in its operations and artistic work. Its initiatives include carbon offsetting for audience journeys and The Nest, a new low-carbon studio venue built using recycled materials.

Great Public Space went to Storyhouse in Chester, where welcoming social spaces allow people to meet, work and connect without needing a performance ticket.

Somewhere you can enter without having to explain yourself or buy something immediately? Lovely. I’ll bring my flask.

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council received Great Placemaking Partner for its role in creating Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, recognising the investment and collaboration that helped establish the venue and support the town’s regeneration.

Applause for the people who keep theatres going

The Great British Theatres Shining Star award also had two winners: Leith Theatre Trust and Daniel Shrimpton, Chair of York’s Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

Leith Theatre Trust was honoured for two decades of work safeguarding its historic building and laying the foundations for its future as a community hub.

Daniel Shrimpton was recognised for overseeing building improvements and strengthening fundraising at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre while remaining faithful to its original purpose.

These are the jobs that often happen away from the spotlight. Fundraising, maintenance, meetings, more fundraising—and occasionally discovering that the roof has developed artistic ambitions of its own.

Julie Hesmondhalgh honoured for championing theatres

Julie Hesmondhalgh received the Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award 2026, presented by Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham.

The award recognised her work championing theatre buildings and widening access to the performing arts, including campaigning for venues such as Oldham Coliseum and Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre.

Regional and community theatres need people prepared to speak up for them. Julie’s recognition celebrates that advocacy and the importance of keeping these places available to the communities they serve.

The full winners list

• Great New Build: @sohoplace, London
• Great Renovation: Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
• Great Amateur Theatre: Sherborne Studio Theatre, Dorset
• Great Found Space: The Dipping House, Stoke-on-Trent
• Great Community Connection: Eden Court, Inverness, and Polka Theatre, London
• Great Use of Space: Natural Dye and Wellbeing Garden, National Theatre, London
• Great Placemaking Partner: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
• Great Green Theatre: Chichester Festival Theatre
• Great Public Space: Storyhouse, Chester
• Great British Theatres Shining Star: Leith Theatre Trust and Daniel Shrimpton, Joseph Rowntree Theatre
• Great British Theatre 2026: Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
• Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award 2026: Julie Hesmondhalgh

Produced by Green Room Ents Ltd in partnership with Theatres Trust, the awards give some overdue attention to the places where theatrical memories are made—and the work involved in keeping their doors open.

Find out more at the Theatres Trust website.