The TMA will hold its annual Theatre Awards UK at London’s historic Guildhall, on Sunday 28 October 2012.

Theatre Awards UK 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.

Following the success of last year’s re-launched event, the 2012 Theatre Awards UK will again be presented at a lunchtime ceremony, but will change location to the Guildhall, a magnificent medieval Grade 1 listed landmark situated in the City of London. Details of the compère for the event, and other special guests, will be announced nearer the date. 

As well as awards for both performance and management achievement decided by expert panels, this year the Awards include their first event public vote. Nominees for the Best Touring Production will be announced in September and the public will be able to vote through the website of the Awards media partner, The Stage.

Along with The Stage, four major organisations involved in theatre across the UK are providing the financial support to present and develop the Theatre Awards UK in 2012: W&P Longreach, Harbottle & Lewis, Theatre Tokens and White Light. 

TMA President Rachel Tackley said: “We had tremendous feedback for the Awards in 2011 which really began to provide an accurate reflection of the excitement, quality and diversity of the best in regional theatre up and down the UK today. We are delighted that so many organisations have been generous in helping us take the Awards to another level in 2012.”

Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the TMA and the Society of London Theatre, added: “Regional theatre is weathering the current economic storm remarkably well, thanks to the support of the public. 2012 will be the first time their voice is heard as part of the Awards. We are delighted to working with The Stage on the Best Touring Production and we hope there will be other ways of the public becoming more involved in the Awards, both through The Stage and as supporters of over 250 TMA Member venues throughout the UK.”

Further details about the Theatre Awards UK can be found on the TMA website here.