The New Wolsey Theatre is in the running for the second year to win Most Welcoming Theatre. The award is presented by Theatrical Management Association, and this year the winner decided by the number of public votes divided by the number of venue seats. The winners will be announced on 20 October 2013.
After receiving the award in 2012, the New Wolsey Theatre has continued to provide thorough and competitive customer service, not only from the Box Office and the various catering and front of house outlets, but also back stage with a team of dedicated technicians ready to welcome visiting companies into the theatre and studio spaces.
The award is a part of the nationwide My Theatre Matters! campaign which is aimed at galvanising public support for local theatres across the UK in response to extreme pressures on local government funding. It was launched earlier this year by The Stage, Equity and the Theatrical Management Association.
More than 225 arts venues across the UK have entered themselves to take part in the public vote, which is being held in association with radio station Classic FM.
Sarah Holmes, the New Wolsey Theatre’s Chief Executive says: ““Winning the Most Welcoming Theatre award last year was brilliant. We’ve always had care and consideration of audiences and artists at the heart of our work and what a lift it was to have this recognised. Being a community theatre for Ipswich gives us the chance to really get to know our audiences, and make sure everyone feels welcomed. We are coming to the end of our building work backstage, and are able to provide even more facilities for companies working in our theatre and studio spaces, upstairs and downstairs. Our ambition to produce the most accessible, diverse and high quality work for Ipswich, Suffolk, and the whole of the UK will always be our goal”
Editor of The Stage Brian Attwood said: “The My Theatre Matters! campaign is all about celebrating the wonderful achievements of theatres across the UK, so it makes perfect sense for the three campaign partners to run this award, which will give audiences a chance to show how much they value their local theatre.
“I’m delighted to see how many theatres have taken up the chance to be part of the vote, and I hope they will encourage thousands of audience members up and down the land to take part in this celebration of how much theatre is at the centre of UK life.”
To vote visit www.classicfm.com/theatre. Voting closes on September 30. To sign up to the campaign, see website www.mytheatrematters.com<http:
