Great British Theatres Awards 2026: Citizens Theatre Leads Winners

Glasgow’s Citizens Theatre has been named Great British Theatre 2026 at the first Great British Theatres Awards. The venue also received the Great Renovation award, making it the only theatre to win two categories at the inaugural ceremony.

The awards were presented at Central Hall Westminster on 2 November 2026 as part of the Theatres Trust’s 50th-anniversary programme. Fourteen winners were recognised across 12 categories, including three London venues.

What are the Great British Theatres Awards?

The awards recognise theatre buildings, public spaces and the people and organisations responsible for protecting and improving them. The categories cover areas including accessibility, sustainability, community engagement, renovation and the creative use of space.

Unlike awards centred on productions and performances, these results focus on the places where theatre happens and how those buildings serve audiences, artists and their surrounding communities.

Citizens Theatre wins two awards

Citizens Theatre received the evening’s highest honour, Great British Theatre 2026, as well as Great Renovation.

Its redevelopment has retained the character of the Glasgow venue’s Victorian auditorium while adding more accessible facilities, public areas and creative spaces. A redesigned public court now connects the street with the centre of the building, opening more of the theatre to visitors and its local community.

Which London theatres won awards?

Three London venues were recognised during the ceremony.

@sohoplace won Great New Build. Opened in 2022, it was the first purpose-built West End theatre to open in 50 years. The flexible auditorium was recognised alongside the building’s accessibility and environmental design. It is also the only West End theatre to hold a BREEAM Excellent sustainability rating.

The National Theatre received Great Use of Space for its Natural Dye and Wellbeing Garden. Created on a previously underused terrace, the garden grows plants that can be used to produce natural dyes for costumes. It also provides space for biodiversity, learning and staff wellbeing.

Polka Theatre in Wimbledon shared Great Community Connection with Eden Court in Inverness. The children’s theatre was recognised for its inclusive programme, community outreach, affordable access and free play spaces. It also operates as a Warm Welcome venue, providing a heated community space during colder months.

Great British Theatres Awards 2026 winners

The complete list of winners is:

• Great British Theatre 2026: Citizens Theatre, Glasgow
• 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: National Theatre, London, for its Natural Dye and Wellbeing Garden
• 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 of York’s Joseph Rowntree Theatre
• Great British Theatres Lifetime Achievement Award: Julie Hesmondhalgh

Julie Hesmondhalgh received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work championing regional and community theatres and widening access to the arts. Her campaigning has included support for Oldham Coliseum and Oswaldtwistle Civic Arts Centre and Theatre.

Chichester Festival Theatre’s sustainability work earned it the Great Green Theatre award, while Storyhouse was recognised for providing open and welcoming social spaces in Chester. The Dipping House, a performance venue created inside a former pottery building in Stoke-on-Trent, received Great Found Space.

The full results are available from the Theatres Trust’s official winners announcement.