Theatre of the Year – The Marlowe Theatre

(Image courtesy of the Marlowe Theatre)

21st December 2021

By Elle Summers

Canterbury’s very own Marlowe Theatre has been nominated for the award of Theatre of the Year in The Stage Awards. These awards celebrate achievements in UK theatre over the past year and celebrates performing arts organisations who have been aiding to rebuild the arts sector, not only helping to get the theatre back up and running post-lockdown but making improvements of the arts experience for the better.

The Marlowe Theatre states that their ‘mission is to be an engine house of the performing arts in Kent’ and is thrilled at how this nomination ‘recognises the role that it has played in helping the industry to recover from the pandemic, along with the work that it has undertaken to engage with artists, young people and audiences over the last year.’

At the announcement of this nomination, it marks a good time to look back and reflect on the work the Marlowe Theatre has partaken in across the pandemic in order to continue such engagement with not only audiences but artists. Some of the events the Marlowe held were:

Making the Pantomime in 2020 available for free online for people to watch at home. This was streamed by more than 92,000 people (including being shown in 91 care homes) across Kent and Medway
It also moved its Youth Company sessions online
Creating activities to support its 22 Associate Schools

The Marlowe have also acknowledged how ‘the award also recognises one of The Marlowe’s biggest projects over the last year, Catalyst For Culture. Conceived and led by The Marlowe, in partnership with the Mercury Theatre in Essex and Glyndebourne Opera in East Sussex, this commissioning and producing network was funded by SELEP Ltd and supported 167 artists; creating work on stages, online and in front gardens, in the city centre and in Canterbury Cathedral.’

Over the course of the lockdowns last year, The Marlowe was closed for a total of 448 days, being amongst one of the first Venues in the country to reopen when restrictions eased, welcoming audiences back with the launch on the UK tour of SIX: THE MUSICAL on the 8 June. Upon opening local artist Ben Dickson’s portraits of Kent characters filled the auditorium to enforce social distancing in a fun way.

The judging panel reflected upon the theatre’s achievements stating that ‘[The Marlowe’s] output is extraordinary given it receives no public subsidy and relies on box office revenue for 99% of its income.’

In response to the nomination, Deborah Shaw, Chief Executive of The Marlowe Theatre said: ‘We’re proud to be on the shortlist and in such fine company. Thanks to The Stage Awards for shining a light in dark times on the immense creative achievements by the team at The Marlowe over the past 12 months. We are privileged to collaborate with such a diverse range of amazing artists.’

The other finalists for the Award are Battersea Arts Centre in London, Donmar Warehouse in London, Lyric Theatre in Belfast, Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Scotland and Royal And Derngate in Northampton. And the result will be announced at the annual The Stage Awards that will take place on Monday 31 January, at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.