The New Wolsey Theatre are runners-up at The Stage Awards, as Sheffield Theatres are announced as Regional Theatre of the Year. The winners of all categories were announced on today (January 31st) at The Stage New Year Party at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Up against winners Sheffield Theatres, and fellow runner-up Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, *The STAGE AWARDS*, in association with Robertson Taylor W&P Longreach, recognises the outstanding organisations working in UK theatre
today. The annual prizes celebrate performing arts organisations and the teams behind them and are now in their fourth year.
The judges cited the following reasons for the nomination:
“The New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich secured a major hit last year with its production of Our House, which opened at the venue before touring across the UK. Aside from this, its efforts to forge partnerships with other organisations - both charitable and commercial - was what stood out for the judges. This year’s spring programme proves the point - it is co-producing The Threepenny Opera with Graeae Theatre Company, Nottingham Playhouse, Birmingham Repertory Theatre and West Yorkshire Playhouse. It is also set to host Talawa Theatre Company’s revival of the National Theatre’s Moon on a Rainbow Shawl and a regional tour of musical Betty Blue Eyes, among others. In an area where arts provision is less available than in other parts of the UK, the theatre’s wide-ranging programme - bolstered by events such as its annual multidisciplinary Pulse festival - makes the New Wolsey a worthy candidate.”
Even in the face of funding cuts and economically difficult times, the New Wolsey is determined to continue creating work that is central to the creative life of Suffolk and seeks to expand the horizons of audiences and artists.
Peter Rowe, Artistic Director says: “Since re-opening as The New Wolsey Theatre in 2001 our aim has been to create the most diverse programme of work for every kind of theatre-goer. We are particularly delighted that this nomination recognises the extraordinary range of performance work that now takes place under the New Wolsey Theatre umbrella and our pioneering collaborations with commercial producers, other regional theatres, touring companies and individual artists. We are extremely proud that this work, made with and for the people of Ipswich and Suffolk, benefitting from their enthusiastic support, is now gaining a following up and down the country and national recognition within our industry. The Stage nomination shows that the New Wolsey Theatre has now become the model of a thriving and enterprising regional theatre.”
The New Wolsey Theatre acknowledges the support and funding from Ipswich Borough Council, Suffolk County Council and Arts Council England, as well as donors, membership holders, corporate members of our ‘Culture Club’, the Wolsey Theatre Club, our Board Members, and of course our most valuable assets and reasons for being – our audience members.
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Natalie Chaplin
