Theatre's delight at 'most welcoming' award

Jo Gordon said it was special for the theatre to be recognised "for an award so many people [staff] have had an influence over"

A town's theatre has been named as the UK's "most welcoming" at a national awards ceremony.

Northampton's Royal & Derngate won the title ahead of the Birmingham Rep and the Shakespeare North Playhouse in Liverpool at the UK Theatre Awards in London.

Judges made their final decision after visiting the shortlisted venues, meeting staff and speaking to audience members.

The Royal & Derngate's chief executive, Jo Gordon, said it was "wonderful to see the hard work, professionalism and enthusiasm of our teams and volunteers acknowledged".

Speaking to BBC Look East, she said: "It's lovely when you win an award for a show but when you win an award for something that so many people have had an influence over... that's a lovely thing to be able to celebrate.

"The welcome audiences feel, and how artists feel when they are travelling all over the country, how children and young people feel when they come to do workshops, is as much as part of the experience now as what's on the stages."

Ms Gordon added that staff had shown great adaptability after the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) in the theatres' foyer spaces in 2023.

Royal & Derngate said the award was proof of the "hard work, professionalism and enthusiasm" of its staff

The theatre's artistic director, Jesse Jones, said: "We're very pleased that we've been able to explore many new uses of our foyer spaces since fully reopening.

"We have to thank all our audiences and supporters, without whom none of this would be possible."

Birmingham Rep and the Shakespeare North Playhouse in Liverpool were also nominated for the award