Co-chief executives of the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, Paul Hart and Claire Murray
The National Theatre and Newbury’s 200-seat Watermill Theatre are the joint winners of The Theatre of the Year Award at The Stage Awards 2024.
The National received the award for its work during its 60th anniversary year, and its achievements were described as ‘a testament to outgoing artistic director Rufus Norris and an admirable legacy for its incoming artistic director Indhu Rubasingham’. In its anniversary year, the National Theatre delivered its most prolific season in the theatre’s history, producing 31 plays and musicals – with seven West End transfers and two shows in New York. It also continued to impress with its community and outreach work – in 2023, it reached more than 15,000 students via touring productions in schools and delivered its most ambitious Public Acts initiative: The Odyssey.
Meanwhile, the Watermill Theatre’s win represented a heroic comeback story. Since losing its Arts Council England funding at the end of 2022, the team at the Watermill has worked tirelessly to ensure that the theatre not only survives, but thrives. Nowhere is this clearer than in its triumphant production of the Lord of the Rings musical, its boldest production to date.
Recognising excellence in British theatre, The Stage Awards 2024 were announced at a ceremony at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
The Unsung Hero Award was awarded to Janet Bakose from the Chichester Festival Theatre. The theatre’s longest-serving staff member of an incredible 45 years, she first joined the theatre in 1978 as a deputy box office manager. Since taking over the programming responsibilities for the winter months in 2004, she has brought in over 600 productions, performances and concerts. Bakose’s colleagues commented: “Quite simply, it is impossible to underestimate her contribution to the success and ethos of Chichester Festival Theatre.”
In a surprise first for The Stage Awards, a Judges’ Award was given to North London’s Chickenshed for 50 years of excellence. A theatre company for ‘absolutely everyone’, Chickenshed champions inclusivity and accessibility not only on stage but also through its courses, workshops and Young Company.
On behalf of Chickenshed, managing director Louise Perry said: “Huge thanks to The Stage Awards for recognising Chickenshed’s contribution over the last 50 years.
“Mary Ward and Jo Collins founded our theatre from a chicken shed in 1974, declaring that it was a space for everyone and over the past five decades the organisation has been defined by both groundbreaking professional theatre and industry-leading inclusive practice. This award gives us confidence that the industry is ready for the wonder out of chaos that this inclusion creates.
“We can’t wait to show everyone what the next 50 years of Chickenshed looks like and look forward to having many conversations with those who share similar aspirations for community-led, inclusive practice.”
The full list of winners:
Theatre of the Year
National Theatre, London
Watermill Theatre, Newbury
Fringe Theatre of the Year
Little Angel Theatre, London
Theatre Building of the Year
Roundhouse Works, London
Community Project of the Year
Culture Collective
Producer of the Year
Ellie Keel Productions
International Award
Battersea Arts Centre
Digital Project of the Year
Parade-Fest and Artists on the Frontline for With Fire and Rage
Innovation Award
ZU-UK for Within Touching Distance
Judges’ Award
Chickenshed
Angela Thomas
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