LPTM AWARD WINNERS 2023

Announced in a ceremony at Upstairs at the Gatehouse (October 2023)

PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2023 is awarded to

BROCKLEY JACK THEATRE

led by Artistic Director Kate Bannister

RUNNER UP for PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2023

is awarded to

 ETCETERA THEATRE led by Otto Jäger

COMMENDATION FOR SERVICES TO NEW WRITING

is awarded to

Artistic Director Lisa Spirling and Literary Manager Steve Harper and team at THEATRE503

COMMENDATION for OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

is awarded to Zena Barrie and Michelle Flower, founders and directors of

CAMDEN FRINGE FESTIVAL since 2006. 

Standing Ovation nominees and Award Winners 2023 are shown below

WINNERS ARE IN RED

BEST PRODUCTION

THE JOURNEY TO VENICE by Bjørg Vik, directed Wiebke Green / Produced by Anarchy Division at FINBOROUGH THEATRE  

A CHRISTMAS CAROL directed by Kate Bannister / in-house show at JACK STUDIO THEATRE  

NOT NOW by David Ireland, directed by Max Elton / 19th Street Productions at FINBOROUGH THEATRE  

WINNER: THE RETURN OF BENJAMIN LAY by Naomi Wallace and Marcus Rediker, directed by Ron Daniels / Produced by Arsalan Sattari at FINBOROUGH THEATRE  

BEST PRODUCTION (Musical theatre) 

NEXT DOOR’S BABY by Bernie Gaughan & Matthew Strachan directed by Keith Strachan / Take Note Theatre at THEATRE AT THE TABARD

ABOUT BILL by Matthew Strachan & Bernie Gaughan, starring Kim Ismay, directed by Keith Strachan at THEATRE AT THE TABARD  

WINNER: SUMMER IN THE CITY by Jennifer Selway / Produced by Ovation at UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE

REDISCOVERY/ADAPTATION

A CHRISTMAS CAROL adaptation by Ross McGregor, directed by Kate Bannister at JACK STUDIO THEATRE

WINNER: George Orwell’s ANIMAL FARM adapted by Paul Stebbing, directed by Gaspard Legendre / produced by Adge-Tnt & Theatre du Heron at GOLDEN GOOSE  THEATRE

MAKESHIFTS / REALITIES / HONOUR THY FATHER triple bill, Directed by

Melissa Dunne / produced by Andrew Maunder for Aardvark Theatre at FINBOROUGH THEATRE

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION VALUES Design (sound/lighting/costume/set)

KITTY IN THE LANE JACK STUDIO THEATRE / Lighting Design by Alex Forey, Set Design by Constance Comparot, Sound Design by Florence Hand, Sounding and Lighting Operator: Scarlett Bryan

A CHRISTMAS CAROL at JACK STUDIO THEATRE / Set Design: Karl Swinyard, Sound Design and Composition: Julian Starr, Lighting Design: Carey Chomsoonthorn, Costume Design: Martin J Robinson, Video Design: Douglas Baker, Song composition: Joseph Hardy

THE RETURN OF BENJAMIN LAY by Naomi Wallace and Marcus Rediker at FINBOROUGH THEATRE / Set Designer Riccardo Hernandez & Isobel Nicolson,  Costume Designer Isobel Nicolson, Lighting Design Anthony Doran, Sound Design John Leonard

ACTORS AWARD  

Edmund Dehn for LEAR ALONE /  And Tomorrow Theatre Company at GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE

Brendan Dunlea for PADDY GOES TO PETRA by Áine Ryan, at JACK STUDIO THEATRE

Tapiwa Mugweni as Amman in MY BROTHER’S KEEPER at THEATRE503

WINNER: Áine Ryan for KITTY IN THE LANE at JACK STUDIO THEATRE

ACTORS AWARD FOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT 

Recipient: Edmund Dehn

Most recently for LEAR ALONE as Lear at Golden Goose Theatre (2023), Power Luncheon as Churchill at The Hope (2022) and Death of a Hunter as Ernest Hemingway at Finborough (2018). But his career spans back to 1979 in repertory theatre for a 9-month season playing Mr Manningham, Banquo and Judge Brack amongst other roles.  He was also actor in the first performance at the Finborough Theatre when it was opened in 1980.

SUPPORTING ROLE  

WINNER: Catherine Warnock as actor-musician in BLACK CAT by Edgar Allan Poe, directed by Selwin Hulme-Teague at KING’S HEAD THEATRE

Shane Convery in THE BOYS ARE KISSING at THEATRE503

Kishore Walker in THE BOYS ARE KISSING at THEATRE503

DUOLOGUE/TWO HANDER

Max Sterne and Martin Edwards in THIS BITTER EARTH directed by Peter Cieply / Produced by Storefront Theatre London and Sarah Lawrie at THE WHITE BEAR THEATRE

WINNER: Tallulah Bond and Douglas Clarke-Wood for SCORCHED BY Tallulah Bond at ETCETERA THEATRE

Laura Mugford  and Joseph Ryan-Hughes for ONE DAY WHEN WE WERE YOUNG/ Just a Regular House Theatre Company at BARONS COURT THEATRE

ENSEMBLE ACTING

TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA directed by Evan L Barker / The Messy Kind Collective and BO15 Productions Ltd at BARONS COURT THEATRE  Cast Hugo Papiernik, Paul Surel, Tor Leijten, Lavinia Grippa, Harry Rose, Izzi McCormack-John, Alun Rees, Gemskii, Bradley Luckett, Rosanna Vikberg

SCAVENGERS Writer/Director Bryan Oliver / Urban Wolves Theatre Company at ETCETERA THEATRE /Camden fringe / Cast Matteo Piombino, Grace Richardson, Neil Hobbs

WINNER: MAKESHIFTS / REALITIES / HONOUR THY FATHER Directed by Melissa Dunne at FINBOROUGH THEATRE Cast: Poppy Allen-Quarmby, Joe Eyre, Andrew Hawkins, Beth Lilly, Philippa Quinn, Akshay Sharan, Suzan Sylvester

BLACK BOX 

BROWN GIRL NOISE by Kaya Uppal, Directed by Neetu Singh at THE HOPE THEATRE / Camden Fringe

MEDIOCRE WHITE MALE by Will Close and Joe Von Malachowski (Produced by Metal Rabbit) at KING’S HEAD THEATRE

WINNER: HOW WE BEGIN by Elisabeth Lewerenz (Produced by Surfacing Acts Theatre and Antonia Georgieva) at VAULT Festival February, premiered at King's Head Theatre (2019)

COMEDY

GAY WITCH SEX CULT script and performance by Andrew Doherty, direction by Martin Willis,/ Objectively Funny at KING’S HEAD THEATRE  

AN ABSOLUTE FARCE OF A MURDER MYSTERY by Peter Rae at DRAYTON ARMS THEATRE

WINNER: YIPPEE KI YAY written and performed by Richard Marsh (produced by James Seabright) at KING'S HEAD THEATRE

SOLO SHOW (written by the performer)

Aine Ryan for KITTY IN THE LANE at JACK STUDIO THEATRE   

WINNER: Mark Farrelly for THE SILENCE OF SNOW toured to Tabard Theatre / Jack Studio Theatre / Bridge House Theatre / King's Head  

Yan Toby-Amisi for BLUD (produced by vant-gard) at ETCETERA THEATRE

Grace Quigley for BLUEWATER at KING’S HEAD THEATRE

DIRECTOR

WINNER: Keith Strachan for NEXT DOOR’S BABY and ABOUT BILL  at THEATRE AT THE TABARD

Wiebke Green for JOURNEY TO VENICE at FINBOROUGH THEATRE  

Phil Bartlett for THE MOORS by Jen Silverman at THE HOPE THEATRE

Lisa Spirling for THE BOYS ARE KISSING at THEATRE503

David Brady for THE SHATTER BOX by James Lewis / Proforça Theatre at THE LION AND UNICORN THEATRE

NEW WRITING

Neil Weatherall for DO IPHONES DREAM Of ELECTRIC SHEEPLE?/ 5Go Theatre Company at LION AND UNICORN THEATRE

Tallulah Bond for SCORCHED at Etcetera Theatre

WINNER: Aine Ryan for PADDY GOES TO PETRA at JACK STUDIO

Zak Zarafshan for THE BOYS ARE KISSING THEATRE503

INNOVATIVE PLAY

WINNER: BODY 115 by Jan Noble at THE HOPE THEATRE 

YIPPEE KI YAY written and performed by Richard Marsh (produced by James Seabright) at KING’S HEAD THEATRE

AND THEN THE RODEO BURNED DOWN written and performed by Chloe rice and Natasha Roland (Produced by theSpaceUK in association with Nicholas Abrams & Richard Williamson) at KING’S HEAD THEATRE 

NEW PLAY RAISING AWARENESS 

ONE LAST WALTZ by Luke Adamson at BRIDGE HOUSE THEATRE

FAUN by Vinnie Heaven at THEATRE503

WINNER: VITAMIN D by Saher Shah at ROSEMARY BRANCH Look for the Woman festival

LONDON PUB THEATRES AWARD WINNERS 2022

AT UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE (October)

PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2022

Neil McPherson and team at the FINBOROUGH THEATRE

RUNNER-UP - PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2022

Helen, Damien and Róisín Devine at OLD RED LION THEATRE

COMMMENDATION FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

Emma Taylor (producer) and Founder Professor Michael Hodd for NEWSREVUE at CANAL CAFÉ THEATRE

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO PUB THEATRES

Michael Kingsbury, Artistic Director and Founder of WHITE BEAR THEATRE and GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE

STANDING OVATION AWARD WINNERS

BEST PRODUCTION 

YES SO I SAID YES by David Ireland / 19^th Street Productions at Finborough Theatre  

BEST PRODUCTION – MUSICAL THEATRE 

FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE /Ovation Productions/Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate   

BEST PRODUCTION – premiere Joint-winners 

BACON by Sophie Swithinbank/Salt Lick Productions at Finborough Theatre and

TIL DEATH DO US PART by Safaa Benson-Effiom at Theatre503   

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION VALUES 

HOLST: THE MUSIC IN THE SPHERES and PAYNE: THE STARS ARE FIRE by Ross McGregor /

Arrows & Traps Theatre at Jack Studio Theatre   

SOLO SHOW – written by performer 

Collette Cooper for TOMORROW MAY BE MY LAST: THE JANIS JOPLIN STORY at Old Red Lion Theatre 

INNOVATIVE NEW PLAY 

Nellie Bly’s TEN DAYS IN A MADHOUSE adapted by Douglas Baker, at Jack Studio Theatre 

COMEDY 

GAME NIGHT by Ear to Ear Productions/at The Hen and Chickens Theatre

NEW PLAY RAISING AWARENESS   

CELL OUTS by Glasshouse Theatre at King’s Head Theatre   

ACTORS AWARD 

Siobhan Redmond for THE STRAW CHAIR by Sue Glover at Finborough Theatre 

ENSEMBLE ACTING  

Ossian Perret, Joseph Potter, Charlie MacGechan, Denise Laniyan for THE

DWARFS by Harold Pinter / Flying Colours Productions at White Bear Theatre 

DUOLOGUES - acting   

Corey Montague-Sholay and William Robinson for BACON by Sophie Swithinbank/

Salt Lick Productions at Finborough Theatre 

 ACTORS AWARD FINALIST - supporting role   

Laurel Marks playing Cecilia Payne in HOLST: THE MUSIC IN THE SPHERES by Ross McGregor /

Arrows and Traps Theatre at Jack Studio Theatre   

BLACK BOX THEATRE

TELL ME STRAIGHT by Paul Bradshaw at Chiswick Playhouse (Theatre at the Tabard) 

The Awards are run by London Pub Theatres Magazine www.londonpubtheatres.com    

Editor: Heather Jeffery hjwrites@aol.com  (Features, stories, interviews)

Enquiries@londonpubtheatres.com  (Advertising and to request a reviewer)

FINALISTS FOR STANDING OVATION AWARD 2022



BEST PRODUCTION

THE DWARFS by Harold Pinter / Flying Colour Productions at White Bear Theatre

THE STRAW CHAIR by Sue Glover /True Name Productions at Finborough Theatre

YES SO I SAID YES by David Ireland / 19th Street Productions at Finborough Theatre

BEST PRODUCTION (musical theatre)

FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE/Ovation Productions/Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate

BEST PRODUCTION (premiere)

BACON by Sophie Swithinbank/Salt Lick Productions at Finborough Theatre

HOLST: THE MUSIC IN THE SPHERES and PAYNE: THE STARS ARE FIRE by Ross McGregor / Arrows and Traps Theatre at Jack Studio Theatre

MORENO by Pravin Wilkins at Theatre503

TIL DEATH DO US PART by Safaa Benson-Effiom at Theatre503 

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION VALUES

THE DWARFS by Harold Pinter / Flying Colours Productions at White Bear Theatre

DEV’S ARMY by Stuart D Lee/Strange Fish at Bread and Roses Theatre

HOLST: THE MUSIC IN THE SPHERES and PAYNE: THE STARS ARE FIRE by Ross McGregor / Arrows & Traps Theatre at Jack Studio Theatre 

Nellie Bly’s TEN DAYS IN A MADHOUSE adapted by Douglas Baker, at Jack Studio Theatre

SOLO SHOW – written by performer

Collette Cooper for TOMORROW MAY BE MY LAST: THE JANIS JOPLIN STORY at Old Red Lion Theatre

Kieran Dee for TIFO / Moon Loaf at The Lion and Unicorn Theatre

Rachel Hammond for JOSHUA (AND ME) at The Hope Theatre and Pleasance Dome (Ed Fringe)

Bob Karper for OH! SUBURBIA! at The Hope Theatre

Debs Newbold for LOST IN BLUE / Lion & Unicorn Theatre 

INNOVATIVE NEW PLAY

BACON by Sophie Swithinbank/Salt Lick Productions at Finborough

RED PILL by Sam Went /Blue Bar Productions at Lion & Unicorn

Nellie Bly’s TEN DAYS IN A MADHOUSE adapted by Douglas Baker, So It Goes at Jack Studio Theatre

COMEDY

GAME NIGHT by Ear to Ear Productions/at The Hen and Chickens Theatre

THE MAN IN THE SHED /JLA Productions at Bridge House Theatre

THE PLAYERS OF DIEDONÉ by Hideout Theatre Company at Lion and Unicorn Theatre

NEW PLAY RAISING AWARENESS

CELL OUTS by Glasshouse Theatre at King’s Head Theatre

MOMENT OF GRACE Bren Gosling / Backstory Ensemble Productions at The Hope Theatre

MORENO by Pravin Wilkins at Theatre503 until 26 March 2022

A TYPICAL SISTER by Pound of Flesh at The Bridge House Theatre

ACTORS AWARD

Toby Wynn-Davies (as Holst) in HOLST: THE MUSIC IN THE SPHERES by Ross McGregor / Arrows and Traps Theatre at Jack Studio Theatre

Rosanna Harris as Barbara Streisand in THE FUNNY GIRLS by Roy Smiles at Upstairs at the Gatehouse

Tice Oakfield for his solo performance in THE WOMAN WHO AMUSES HERSELF by Victor Lodato at Jack Studio Theatre

Daragh O'Malley for YES, SO I SAID, YES I said yes at Finborough Theatre

Siobhan Redmond for THE STRAW CHAIR by Sue Glover at Finborough Theatre

Peter Saracen for SHORT MEMORY by Richard Roques at Golden Goose Theatre

ENSEMBLE ACTING

Ossian Perret, Joseph Potter, Charlie MacCechan, Denise Laniyan for THE DWARFS (Harold Pinter adaptation) Flying Colours Productions at White Bear Theatre

Jude Chinchen, Richard Holt, Danielle Kassaraté for TIL DEATH DO US PART by Safaa Benson-Effiom at Theatre503

Hattie Kemish, holly McComish, Bethany Monk Lane, Cameron Wilson for A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL by Sam Smithson / Not Quite Ready Productions at The Hope Theatre

DUOLOGUES (acting)

Corey Montague-Sholay and William Robinson for BACON by Sophie Swithinbank/Salt Lick Productions at Finborough Theatre

Julian Bird and Séan Browne in FREUD’S LAST SESSION by Mark St Germain at King’s Head Theatre

Naoimh Morgan & David Persiva for US by David Persiva at White Bear Theatre

ACTORS AWARD (supporting role)

Laurel Marks playing Cecilia Payne in HOLST: THE MUSIC IN THE SPHERES by Ross McGregor / Arrows and Traps Theatre at Jack Studio Theatre

Rori Hawthorn as Isabel in THE STRAW CHAIR by Sue Glover at Finborough Theatre

Hayden McLean playing Cre’von Garcia in MORENO by Pravin Wilkins at Theatre503 

BLACK BOX (play)

ABOUT 500 - A WOMAN’S RACE AGAINST TIME by Simona Hughes at King’s Head Theatre / Springboard Festival

THE SPIRAL PATH by Andrew Craig Sharpe at White Bear Theatre, Kennington

TENDERFOOT by Edith Pearlman /3 Way Tango Theatre at Drayton Arms Theatre

TELL ME STRAIGHT by Paul Bradshaw at Chiswick Playhouse

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FINALISTS

2021 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

24 October 2021

At Lion and Unicorn Theatre

Awards in pictures here

LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2021

Directors: Lisa Spirling and Andrew Shepherd at Theatre503

RUNNER-UP LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2021

Artistic Directors: James Wren and Felicity Wren at The Hen and Chickens Theatre

COMMENDATION FOR SERVICES TO PUB THEATRES

Artistic Director: David Brady at The Lion and Unicorn Theatre

STANDING OVATION AWARD WINNERS 2021

BEST PRODUCTION       

LONDON ZOO by Farine Clarke, directed by Samantha Pears, UnEqual Productions Ltd at Bread and Roses Theatre / PIPPIN Presented by LAMBCO Productions, The Garden Theatre at The Eagle, Vauxhall / SNOWFLAKES by Robert Boulton, Dissidents Theatre Company at Old Red Lion Company / TRESTLE by Stewart Pringle, directed by Matthew Parker at Jack Studio Theatre

BEST PRODUCTION (REGIONAL TRANSFER)       

A NIGHT IN NOVEMBER by Marie Jones/ Soda Bread Theatre at Chiswick Playhouse

REDISCOVERY / ADAPTATION       

VILLAGE WOOING by George Bernard Shaw, SHAW2020 Theatre Company at Etcetera Theatre / TIER THREE SISTERS by Knuckledown at The Hope Theatre

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION VALUES         

WOLVES ARE COMING FOR YOU by Joel Horwood at The Jack Studio Theatre / SNOWFLAKES by Robert Boulton, Dissidents Theatre Company at Old Red Lion Theatre / NO STRINGS ATTACHED by Charles Entsie, Produced by King’s Head Theatre at The Ignition Room, Islington Square

INNOVATIVE PLAY     

SIX SERPENTS AND A TARANTULA by Maryanna Clarke, Old School Players at The Hen and Chickens Theatre and on tour / TETHERED by Georgie Bailey, ChewBoy Productions at Lion and Unicorn Theatre

NEW PLAY RAISING AWARENESS       

DEAF EARS – HOW I LEARNED TO HEAR by Joe Friedman at The Hen and Chickens Theatre / ALL THAT by Shaun Kitchner, directed by James Callàs Ball at The Kings Head Theatre

COMEDY       

BORROWED TIME by Garth Oates, Flat A Creative at Hen and Chickens Theatre / BADGERS CAN’T BE FRIENDS by Joe Skelton, Raving Mask Theatre at King’s Head Theatre

ACTOR       

A RAT, A RAT by Chloe Yates at Golden Goose Theatre, Finalist - Rose Reade / HEMATOMA written and performed by Kieran Dee, Moon Loaf Theatre Company at Lion and Unicorn Theatre Finalist - Kieran Dee / MASKS/TIDAL double bill by Red Hair Theatre at The Ninth Life Finalist - Peter Watts / A NIGHT IN NOVEMBER by Marie Jones, Soda Bread Theatre at Chiswick Playhouse Finalist - Matthew Forsythe / AAAAA (FIVEA) by David Brady, Jack Albert Cook, Gabrielle Nellis-Pain & Kim Scopes at Lion and Unicorn Theatre Finalist - Daniel Rainford 

ENSEMBLE ACTING       

THE NOBODIES by Amy Guyler, Chalk Line Theatre at Lion & Unicorn Theatre Finalists: David Angland, Joseph Reed, Lucy Simpson / SNOWFLAKES by Robert Boulton, Dissidents Theatre Company at Old Red Lion Company Finalists: Robert Boulton, Niamh Finlay, Henry Davis / LONDON ZOO by Farine Clarke, UnEqual Productions at Bread and Roses Theatre Finalists: Louie Keen, Mike Duran, Natalie Lauren, Adil Akram, Derek Jeck and Cal-I Jonel / TIER THREE SISTERS by Knuckledown at The Hope Theatre Finalists: Bryony Davies, Chloe Wade and Chloe Metcalfe / ABOUT MONEY by Eliza Gearty, 65% Theatre at Theatre503  Finalists: Emma Tracey, Michael McCardie, Matthew Boyle, Isabele Derosa and Rohit Kumar

BLACK BOX         

SWIMMING by Alex Bower, directed by Kayla Feldman at The White Bear / MARY & MIETEK Burning Pages & Katla Theatre Company at The Hen & Chickens Theatre / THE NOBODIES by Amy Guyler, Chalk Line Theatre at Lion & Unicorn Theatre & on tour / HEMATOMA written and performed by Kieran Dee, Moon Loaf Theatre Company at Lion & Unicorn Theatre / SEEKING ARRANGEMENT by Alexandra Hannant, Burning Brick theatre Company at King’s Head Theatre

THEATRE ONLINE       

LATE NIGHT STARING AT HIGH RES PIXELS by Athena Stevens, Finborough / V-DAY 2021: Raise the Vibration, Bread & Roses Theatre / SNOW WHITE in the Seven Months of Lockdown by Charles Court Opera Company, King's Head Theatre / DECEMBER: A New Play for Christmas Adapted from Charles Dickens 'A Christmas Carol' by Alexander Knott, Bag of Beard, Filmed at Old Red Lion Theatre.

Congratulations to all

WINNERS ANNOUNCED 2020

online ceremony October 2020

PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2020

NEIL MCPHERSON

FINBOROUGH THEATRE

RUNNER-UP FOR PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2020  

MICHAEL KINGSBURY

WHITE BEAR THEATRE

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD    

JOHN and KATIE PLEWS

UPSTAIRS AT THE GATEHOUSE

COMMENDATION FOR SERVICES TO PUB THEATRES

For exceptional representation of our society's real diversity 

TESSA HART, REBECCA PRYLE, and VELENZIA SPEARPOINT

BREAD AND ROSES THEATRE

Winners of the Inaugural

London Pub Theatre of the Year Awards 2019

The inaugural London Pub Theatre of the Year Awards took place at Lion and Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town on Sunday 27 October. Eighteen pub theatres were in the running for the major title of LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2019. Run by London Pub Theatres Magazine the event also includes two awards for personal achievement, and joint runners up to the London Pub Theatre of the Year Award.

The Awards winners are as follows:

LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2019 is awarded to Adam Spreadbury-Maher (Artistic Director) KING’S HEAD THEATRE

King’s Head team lead by Artistic Director Adam Spreadbury-Maher has an outstanding track record for nurturing theatre talent through associate companies, individual artists and the King’s Head director’s training programme. Spreadbury-Maher has also championed fair pay with an equity agreement in unfunded fringe theatres which has had a positive knock on effect in the industry. He has also made a commitment to opera and LGBTQ queer theatre, which has resulted in opera being more accessible and queer stories being enjoyed by all.

LONDON PUB THEATRE OF THE YEAR 2019 JOINT RUNNERS-UP awarded to

Kate Bannister (Artistic Director) and Karl Swinyard (Executive Producer), JACK STUDIO THEATRE

And

Matthew Parker (Artistic Director), THE HOPE THEATRE

Both theatres can boast high quality work with excellent in-house productions.

Jack Studio theatre has very imaginative productions and has built up a very loyal local audience. The theatre is very welcoming and is accessible as it’s ground floor.  They are also very supportive of new writing and new artists, nurturing some of the most extraordinary talent coming onto the fringe scene.  It also has outstanding technical capabilities.

The Hope Theatre, Islington has an eclectic programme, and is open to new material. Despite being the smallest pub theatre with limitations of space, there’s a lot of invention shown by directors in laying it out in ways that both involve the audience directly and at other times maintain a fourth wall when that’s needed, too.   It does remarkably well to make itself a distinctive venue that competes on quality with much larger venues.

LONDON PUB THEATRES LIFE-TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD goes to Léonie Scott-Matthews (Artistic Director) at Pentameters Theatre

Founded by Léonie Scott-Matthews in August 1968, and still going strong after 51 years. Leonie is known for her support of all creatives and the theatre features an eclectic offering of plays from classics to new writing. There’s a regular Sunday night open mic for poetry theatre. It has recently been made a community asset which should safeguard its future. The best asset is Leonie herself and this award recognises the wonderful work she has done over such a long period. Going up the stairs to the comfy theatre you are always offered a warm welcome by Leonie herself on the door.

COMMENDATION FOR SERVICES TO PUB THEATRES goes to Katie Danbury (Artistic Director) at Old Red Lion Theatre

Awarded to Katy Danbury for her ground-breaking work on equality, inclusion and accessibility.  She has encouraged creative and thoughtful ways of integrating access into theatre productions, with a consistently high standard of work.  She also continues to run the London Horror Festival which opened at Old Red Lion Theatre in 2011 and continues to be part of the cultural landscape in London during the Halloween season.

The Ceremony

The Awards ceremony was generously hosted by David Brady, Artistic Director of both Proforça Theatre Company and Lion and Unicorn Theatre. A champagne reception was followed by an introduction by Heather Jeffery, Founder and Editor of London Pub Theatres Magazine. Thereafter several pub theatres were given a Mention before the Awards Ceremony began. Head Judge was actor, playwright, and theatre director, Richard Braine who played “Gussie” Fink-Nottle in Jeeves and Wooster, and can currently be seen in Holby City.