We are a theatre not afraid to be experimental and diverse in our approach. Making and receiving world class theatre, we stage new and contemporary plays by new & local writers along side those considered to be classical. Contemporary as the builing that houses us, Nottingham Playhouse trys to relflect the diversity of the city we're in. A 'typical' season will feature International dance, drama, and comedy as well as shows for children and the whole familyOur first home was a converted cinema where, under the leadership of firstly Andre Van Gyseghem then John Harrison, Val May and Frank Dunlop, the Playhouse won a loyal local audience, while achieving national acclaim for productions that were a triumph of creativity over cramped conditions.
During the 1950s it became clear that the company needed premises better suited to its prestige and plans. The City Council built the present Playhouse to a striking design by the award winning architect Peter Moro in 1962. In 1996 it received grade II* listed status in recognition of its outstanding architectural quality.
When the new Playhouse opened in 1963 with Sir Tyrone Guthrie’s production of CORIOLANUS, its artistic direction was shared between Frank Dunlop, John Neville and Peter Ustinov. . The Senior Management Team is now Stephanie Sirr, Chief Executive and Giles Croft, Artistic Director.
Over the past 4 years we have been nominated for 19 awards. In 2006 Nottingham Playhouse won the TMA Eclipse Award and in 2007 the Playhouse was recipient of the TMA’s UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award.
Our shows tour extensively both nationally & internationally International partnerships have enabled touring to Europe and Japan and most recentley saw The Burail at Thebes ( translated by Seamus Heaney) getting rave review at The Festival of Art and Ideas in New Haven Conneticut and the Spoleto Festival, South Carolina, USA
In 2000 we where invited to become the first English member of the prestigious European Theatre Convention and Giles Croft(Artistic Director) is now its Vice President.
Many artists and companies visit the Playhouse. These have included Peter Brook, Robert Lepage, Steven Berkoff, the Maly Theatre of St Petersburg, Wim Vandekeybus, the Market Theatre of Johannesburg, Northern Stage, Stephen Petronio Dance Company, Michael Clarke, Paco Pena, the Ghana Dance Ensemble, Garth Fagan Dance Company from New York, the National Theatre of Norway and the Teshigawara Company from Japan. We also invite a number of companies and artists to visit our theatre for shorter periods that make up our exciting Event Weeks.
The Sky Mirror, a sculpture by Anish Kapoor, is situated on our forecourt amd was the first of his Sky Mirror sculptures ever unveiled
Every year more than 100,000 people visit us, and we attract internationally renowned artists. In the past these have included Dame Judi Dench, Emmanuelle Béart, John Neville, Hugh Grant, James Bolam, Alistair McGowan, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham-Carter, Rosamund Pike and many more.
