The Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond has been awarded Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards, celebrating its rich history and community impact.
Richmond: A local gem in South London, the Orange Tree Theatre has just been named the best in the UK. Can you believe it started in a pub? It’s such a cool story!
Back in the 1970s, director Sam Walters and his pals kicked things off with lunchtime shows for pub-goers. They eventually moved to a former primary school in 1991, and the rest is history.
This theatre has teamed up with big names like the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. They’ve even premiered works from talented playwrights like David Edgar and Joe White.
With just 180 seats, it’s a cozy spot that relies on donations to keep the shows coming and to nurture new talent. It’s a registered charity, which is pretty awesome.
The Stage Awards, held at The Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre, celebrated the best in the theatre scene across the UK. The Orange Tree Theatre shared the Theatre of the Year award with Nottingham Playhouse this time around.
Judges praised both theatres for their strong artistic leadership and a great mix of classic revivals and fresh new plays. Last year, the Orange Tree showcased hits like Twelfth Night and new works like Biography of a Constellation.
They also run community activities and workshops, like their Primary Shakespeare project, which helped them snag this award. It’s all about giving back!
Alistair Smith, the editor of The Stage, expressed excitement about the winners, highlighting the creativity and resilience of theatres across the UK. It’s a big deal for everyone involved!
