Lichfield Garrick Named West Midland's Most Welcoming Theatre

The Lichfield Garrick is celebrating after it was announced as the West Midland's Regional Winner of the UK's Most Welcoming Theatre Award, in association with Smooth Radio.

Beating leading local theatres from across the West Midlands, the Lichfield Garrick has been recognised for its commitment to providing a friendly and welcoming theatre for the whole community.

The UK Theatre award, which is voted for by the public, is an opportunity for audiences to celebrate their local theatre and all it does to welcome you, be it a friendly chat with box office staff, enjoying a delicious coffee in the cafe, feeling like you're part of your local community, or being entertained by the panto!

Tim Ford, Lichfield Garrick's Artistic Director, said: "We are overwhelmed with this news and would like to say a huge thanks to everybody that has taken the time to vote for us.

"We pride ourselves on ensuring that everybody is truly welcome and it is a testament to the tremendous community support from audiences, staff, volunteers and fans across the UK that The Lichfield Garrick has been voted as the Most Welcoming Theatre in the West Midlands, beating off stiff competition from many worthy rivals!

"This award is also a real testament to the fantastic team we have here and the huge amount of hard work and effort that everybody takes in ensuring that The Garrick is such a very special place.

This year's nominations demonstrate the breadth and depth of outstanding talent and achievement in theatre and the performing arts throughout the United Kingdom, on and off stage.

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of UK Theatre, said: "Theatres play a vital role in communities across the UK, so it has been wonderful to see so many votes cast. This campaign brings together audiences, theatres, performers and producers and gives everyone the opportunity to celebrate their local venue."

The Lichfield Garrick will go on to compete for overall winner of the UK Most Welcoming Theatre, which will be announced at the UK Theatre Awards at London's historic Guildhall on Sunday 9 October 2016.

UK Theatre is the UK's leading theatre and performing arts membership organisation -promoting excellence, professional development, and campaigning to improve resilience and increase audiences across the sector.

Since 1991 UK Theatre's annual UK Theatre Awards have celebrated the creative excellence and outstanding work seen in UK theatres each year. The UK Theatre Awards are the only nationwide awards to honour creative excellence and the outstanding achievement seen on and off stage throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Lichfield Garrick is a modern purposed built theatre first opened in 2003. It plays host to the best and widest range of musical theatre, drama, comedy, music and family entertainment in the City of Lichfield. The Garrick is home to over 400 performances each year in its two theatre spaces, the Theatre, capacity 562, and the Studio, capacity 157. The Garrick regularly produces and co-produces work, runs an Artist Development programme and a Community Engagement programme that engages with local schools and arts organisations throughout the year. The Garrick also runs weekly programmes including The Garrick Young Rep, Dee Gees and The Garrick Youth Theatre. The Artistic Director is Tim Ford and the Executive Director is Karen Foster.