Cornwall theatre in the running for national award

The Cornish theatre will find out if it wins the award on Sunday

A Cornish theatre is up for a national award that recognises venues for being welcoming to audiences, creatives, and local communities.

Hall for Cornwall in Truro joins the Octagon Theatre Bolton and London's Polka Theatre in the running for the 2024 UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award.

To be nominated, members of the UK Theatre Association had to show how welcoming each venue was in the areas of place, people and programme.

David Dodd, from Hall for Cornwall, said winning the award would allow the theatre to be better represented among its peers and bring the best shows to its stage.

Mr Dodd, who is the marketing and communications director, said it was probably one of the most accessible theatres in the UK with "step free access to every level, most of our welcome team have trained in British Sign Language and we also have options for people with other disabilities".

'Cherry on the cake'

Cornwall Pride, Black Voices Cornwall, and Tech Women are also based within the theatre building.

"Those are three organisations that passionately advocate for the various areas who are sometimes underrepresented in our society," said Mr Dodd.

He said "we are doing our very best to make this place open to all".

"What I find is when people walk through our doors is an upwelling of pride that this place is here in Cornwall for all of us to enjoy and winning this award would be the cherry on the cake," he added.

The winner will be announced later at a ceremony at London's Guildhall.