Live Theatre reaches final for Great Public Space at Great British Theatres Awards
Live Theatre has been announced as a finalist in the Great Public 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 Public Space award recognises theatres with a space beyond the auditorium that is well-loved and well used by the community.
Live Theatre at the heart of Newcastle’s Quayside has two outdoor spaces providing a valuable green community hub in the city an invaluable and unique resource: Live Garden and Live Community Garden. What began as a staff-led wellbeing initiative has grown into something far greater. Led by Fundraising and Development Manager Alison Nicholson, with the enthusiasm and commitment of staff and volunteers across Live the Community Garden project has transformed an underused courtyard into a vibrant community space, a peaceful oasis filled with flowers, vegetables, trees and seating. The garden now offers a perfect space for performances, reflection, school activities, community projects and special events. Live Garden is home to an outdoor exhibition and performance space alongside the award-winning Broad Chare beer garden. Popular with local and destination diners and drinkers, the beer garden offers a rustic retreat and a welcoming sense of calm in the city. The partnership with Terry Laybourne delivers direct benefits to Live Theatre. Through a share of the pub’s income, the theatre is able to support the development and programming of new work, create opportunities for freelance theatre-makers, raise awareness of its activities among new audiences and strengthening its connection to the cultural life of the Quayside.
Jacqui Kell CEO of Live Theatre “We’re delighted to be shortlisted for this prestigious award. What makes this recognition particularly special is that it celebrates something that started as a staff wellbeing initiative. Thanks to the passion and leadership of Alison [Nicholson], alongside colleagues and volunteers across Live Theatre, an overlooked space has been transformed into a thriving community garden that brings together nature, creativity and people. It demonstrates how small ideas, when driven by committed people, can create lasting benefits for Live Theatre, our community and the wider city."
Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust says, “Having redefined what a theatre’s public spaces can be, these finalists’ cafés, gardens, play areas and libraries provide welcoming places to work, play, meet others or simply keep warm. 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: Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne; Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne; Polka Children’s Theatre, London and Storyhouse, Chester.
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.
