The Great British Theatres Awards recognise the theatres and their champions that are making an outstanding contribution to the UK’s cultural life. The awards were launched as part of Theatres Trust’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The Great Community Connection award recognises theatres that are going above and beyond to open their doors and offer a warm welcome to everyone, whether that’s through building adaptations, programming or outreach work.
Derby Theatre’s nomination celebrates its commitment to putting local people at the heart of everything it does, opening its doors to create a theatre where everyone can feel welcome, connected and included. From its monthly programme for people living with dementia and their carers, to taking performances directly into care homes, Derby Theatre works to ensure that creativity and connection can reach people who may otherwise feel isolated.
The theatre has also made a significant commitment to serving Derby’s Deaf community, through its free Deaf Youth Theatre, regular BSL Café, accessible and integrated productions, and annual Sign Sing BSL Community event. Derby Theatre has also funded BSL Level 1 training for 24 members of its team, helping Deaf patrons to be welcomed in their own language.
Through its CANVAS programme, Community Hub and locally led activities, Derby Theatre creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore their creativity, develop new skills and build meaningful connections. Its 50th Anniversary Community Celebration saw the theatre hand over the keys to local people to plan and programme a day of activity, welcoming 300 attendees, 80% of whom had never visited the theatre before.
Together, these initiatives reflect Derby Theatre’s belief that a theatre should belong to its community: a place where barriers are removed, voices are heard and everyone has the opportunity to take part.
Sarah Brigham (Artistic Theatre and CEO, Derby Theatre) said:
“This nomination is so fantastic to receive for us because it recognises our core value and belief that theatre belongs to everyone.
We want our building to be a place where people feel welcome, where they can meet others, find their voice, be creative and feel that they belong. Whether we’re welcoming people living with dementia and their carers in our regular programme of events or creating opportunities for Derby’s Deaf community through productions and our regular BSL Café and social events, supporting young people to build confidence and skills, or working alongside local people to shape what happens both at the theatre and in the community, we’re continually learning what it means to be a theatre with our civic purpose at the heart of all we do.
We’re incredibly proud of the relationships we’ve built with people and organisations across Derby, and of the brilliant staff, artists, volunteers and community partners who make this work possible. To be recognised alongside other inspiring organisations from across the UK is a real honour, and we’re delighted to be a finalist for the Great Community Connection award.”
Joshua McTaggart (CEO of Theatres Trust) says:
“From school meals and free tickets to BSL cafés and dementia programmes, the Great Community Connection finalists show the wide-ranging ways that theatres can become places of connection and belonging for their community. Theatres Trust knew there was a need to celebrate theatres, but our judges had an incredibly hard time selecting the finalists. I want to extend my congratulations to every one of them. We can’t wait to celebrate our Great British Theatres in style this November.”
The full list of finalists in this this category are: Cast, Doncaster; Citizens Theatre, Glasgow; Derby Theatre; Eden Court, Inverness; Hoxton Hall, London; Polka Children’s Theatre, London; The Theatre Chipping Norton and Wolverhampton Grand.
The winners will be revealed at the Great British Theatres Awards ceremony at Central Hall Westminster on Monday 2 November 2026. Tickets will be available to purchase online via Theatres Trust’s website.
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