Press Contact: Natalie Thomas
September 2026
Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) has been announced as a finalist in the Great Use of Space category of Theatres Trust’s Great British Theatres Awards.
The Great British Theatres Awards recognise the theatres and their champions that are making an outstanding contribution to the UK’s cultural life. The awards were launched as part of Theatres Trust’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The Great Use of Space award highlights theatres making innovative or unconventional use of space within their buildings, and TRP has been acknowledged for its community-focused pop-up festival, Summer in the Scene Dock.
In collaboration with South West artists Trifle Gathering, TRP transformed its loading bay at the rear of the theatre into a multi-use space that hosted a vibrant mix of free, open-access and ticketed events, designed specifically to welcome people in Plymouth who might not otherwise see the theatre as a place for them. The event took place across four weeks last August while Hamilton was on the main Lyric stage, and hosted entertainment including variety nights, live bands, DJs, quizzes, and community workshops.
Chief Executive & Artistic Director of Theatre Royal Plymouth, James Mackenzie-Blackman, said: “Summer in the Scene Dock was the place to be last summer! It was our very first time creating a pop-up event on that scale and we are thrilled with the turn out and positive feedback from those who attended.
“There really was something for everyone, and it was fantastic to welcome so many new faces, including people visiting the theatre for the first time. We are now building on these new relationships and exploring ways to continue connecting with, and supporting, communities across the South West.”
Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust says: “These finalists brought to life overlooked corners of their theatre, from a terrace growing natural costume dyes to dance and beatboxing spilling onto staircases, a scene dock became festival stages, and an auditorium transformed into television studios and a sporting arena. Theatres Trust knew there was a need to celebrate theatres, but our judges had an incredibly hard time selecting the finalists. I want to extend my congratulations to every one of them. We can’t wait to celebrate our Great British Theatres in style this November.”
The full list of finalists in this category are: Alexandra Palace, London; Battersea Arts Centre, London; National Theatre, London and Theatre Royal Plymouth.
The winners will be revealed at the Great British Theatres Awards ceremony at Central Hall Westminster on Monday 2 November 2026. Tickets will be available to purchase online via Theatres Trust’s website.