The Stage Awards 2020

Published: 2 February 2020
Reporter: Sandra Giorgetti

The Stage Awards 2020
The Bunker - winner of Fringe Theatre of the Year Award Credit: Courtesy of The Bunker Theatre
Sheffield Theatres, Life of Pi - winner of the inaugural Achievement in Technical Theatre Award Credit: Johan Persson
Leeds Playhouse - Theatre Building of the Year Award Credit: Alex Brenner
Sheffield Theatres - Regional Theatre of the Year Award Credit: Alex Brenner
Innovation Award - Directors of the Future Credit: Alex Brenner

On Friday industry publication The Stage revealed the winners of its annual awards, which seek to recognise the past year's achievements of theatre companies and individuals.

Sheffield Theatres took home two awards winning Regional Theatre of the Year for an outstanding season that included Standing at the Sky’s Edge and Life of Pi, the latter scooping the inaugural Stage Award for Achievement in Technical Theatre for state-of-the-art projections and a 44-pound tiger puppet.

London Theatre of the Year went to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch in Essex for its productions during building updates, and Fringe Theatre of the Year to Bunker Theatre London, being forced to close next month by redevelopment plans. Bunker Theatre was recognised for its support of creatives from under-represented backgrounds, including the refugee-led company Borderline.

ATG Productions took home the Producer of the Year Award for the Pinter at the Pinter Season and the Ian McKellen On Stage 80-date tour.

The £15.8 million redevelopment of Leeds Playhouse saw it win Theatre Building of the Year.

The Stage associate editor Lyn Gardner said, “it may be challenging times for British theatre, but this year’s winners of The Stage Awards reflect the boldness and creativity of the sector and its depth and breadth across the country. From the industry-changing innovation of Artistic Directors of the Future to the grassroots support offered to emerging artists at the Bunker, and the crucial part played in London’s ecology by the revitalised creativity and community engagement of a suburban London theatre like the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, the 2020 winners are all beacons. They all demonstrate theatre’s ever-evolving ability to adapt and reinvent itself to the benefit of 21st century artists and audiences.”

The full list of awards and winners is:

  • Regional Theatre of the Year – Sheffield Theatres
  • London Theatre of the Year – Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch
  • Fringe Theatre of the Year – The Bunker Theatre, London
  • Theatre Building of the Year – Leeds Playhouse
  • Producer of the Year – ATG Productions
  • International Award – Selladoor Worldwide
  • Innovation Award – Artistic Directors of the Future
  • Achievement in Technical Theatre – Sheffield Theatres for Life of Pi
  • Unsung Hero – Mary Joseph, front of house assistant at the Almeida Theatre

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