Almeida Theatre, Young Vic Theatre, National Theatre, and More on Shortlist For The Stage Awards

The world's oldest and best theatre publication, The Stage, has announced the shortlist for The Stage Awards 2019, in association with Integro Insurance Brokers Ltd.

Nottingham Playhouse receives its first ever nomination for Regional Theatre of the Year, sponsored by Evolution Productions, after recently staging a production of The Madness of King George III starring Mark Gatiss. It competes with the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester and Theatr Clwyd, Mold, another first time nominee, which recently announced a West End transfer for its co-production of Home, I'm Darling starring Katherine Parkinson.

Elsewhere in the shortlist, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child producer Sonia Friedman vies with Fiery Angel and Fuel for Producer of the Year, sponsored by PRG. Sonia Friedman Productions previously won Producer of the Year 2015, 2016 & 2017.

Nominated for the Innovation Award, sponsored by Charcoalblue, the Difference Engine is software which can be used by small scale theatres to send subtitles or audio description to audience member's phones. Other shortlisted nominees in the category include ProFile, established by the National Theatre and Spotlight, as well as the New Diorama Theatre for its new programming model supporting emerging artists.

Alistair Smith, editor of The Stage and chair of the judging panel, said:

"In the year in which both the Manchester Theatre Awards and Wales Theatre Awards have announced their closures, I am proud that The Stage Awards continue to celebrate the achievements of performing arts organisations from across the UK - including organisations from both Manchester and Wales. Many congratulations to all the organisations shortlisted.

"Our Innovation Award shortlist demonstrates the fantastic ways that performing arts organisations are using creative practices to ensure theatre remains accessible to all: the Difference Engine by providing a cost-effective solution to subtitling performances, the New Diorama programming model by supporting emerging theatre companies and ProFile by giving a bigger platform to D/deaf and disabled actors."

The Stage Awards, in association with Integro Insurance Brokers Ltd, are decided by The Stage's senior editorial team, following extensive consultation with leading figures in the theatre industry and a public nomination process. The winners will be announced on January 25, 2019 at a ceremony at the Bridge Theatre, London.

Previous winners of The Stage Awards include: the National Theatre, Sonia Friedman Productions, Royal Exchange Theatre, Shakespeare's Globe, Chichester Festival Theatre, Michael Grandage Company, National Youth Theatre, Sheffield Theatres, Arts Educational Schools, Matthew Bourne's New Adventures and Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.

The Stage Awards 2019 are presented in association with Integro Insurance Brokers Ltd. Category sponsors for this year's event include Ambassador Theatre Group, Charcoalblue, encoreinsure.com, ETC, Evolution Productions, Managed Networks, PRG, TAIT, TodayTix and White Light.

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Regional Theatre of the Year
Sponsored by Evolution Productions
Nottingham Playhouse
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Theatr Clwyd, Mold

London Theatre of the Year
Sponsored by Managed Networks
Almeida Theatre
Bush Theatre
Young Vic Theatre

Fringe Theatre of the Year
Sponsored by encoreinsure.com
Barn Theatre, Cirencester
Omnibus Theatre, London
Vault Festival, London

Theatre Building of the Year
Sponsored by TAIT
Battersea Arts Centre, London
Bristol Old Vic
Royal Opera House, London

Producer of the Year
Sponsored by PRG
Fiery Angel
Fuel
Sonia Friedman Productions

School of the Year
Sponsored by TodayTix
Great Torrington School, Devon
Open Door, London and Birmingham
Young Lyric at the Lyric Hammersmith, London

International Award
Sponsored by Ambassador Theatre Group
Hijinx Theatre, Cardiff
National Theatre Scotland, Glasgow
New International Encounter, Cambridge and Hvalstad

Innovation Award
Sponsored by Charcoalblue
Talking Birds for The Difference Engine captioning software
New Diorama Theatre, London for its programming model
National Theatre and Spotlight for ProFile, a video casting database for D/deaf and disabled actors

Sustainability Award
Sponsored by ETC
Julie's Bicycle and Arts Council England for the Accelerator Programme
Lyric Hammersmith, London
National Theatre, London

The Unsung Hero award, sponsored by White Light, (for which there is no shortlist) will also be announced at the ceremony.

The Stage Awards, in association with Integro Insurance Brokers Ltd, highlight the achievements of theatre companies and individuals across the UK and globally.

Nominations for the awards were open to organisations and the public from October to November.

The nominations were supplemented by the views of a focus group of 30 influential industry figures and senior writers for The Stage.

The shortlist and winners are decided by the judging panel. The judging panel for The Stage Awards comprises: editor Alistair Smith, associate editor Mark Shenton, associate editor Lyn Gardner, reviews editor Natasha Tripney, news editor Matt Hemley, features editor Nick Clark, joint lead critic Tim Bano and senior reporter Georgia Snow.

The shortlist for each category (except Unsung Hero for which there is no shortlist) is announced in the December 13, 2018 issue of The Stage.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony held on January 25, 2018 at the Bridge Theatre, London.

Established in 1880, The Stage is a must read for those with an involvement or interest in the performing arts industry in the UK and beyond.

The Stage offers nationwide theatre news, jobs, castings, reviews, and advice.

The Stage is also responsible for the annual list of the 100 most influential people in theatre and the performing arts - The Stage 100, The Stage Awards, The Stage Debut Awards and The Stage Supports.

The Stage newspaper is published every Thursday and is available to purchase for just £2.50 from newsagents around the country. It is also available as a digital edition via App on Android and Apple. The website (www.thestage.co.uk) is read by 550,000 unique users a month.