Northampton's Royal & Derngate bids to win the title of the UK's friendliest theatre

The winners of this year’s award will be decided by a public vote running until Monday, September 19, 2016. Votes can be cast at uktheatre.org/vote.

This year there are 241 venues across the country competing to take home the coveted title. The 12 regional and national winners of the vote will be announced on September 29, 2016. The overall winner of the award will be announced at the UK Theatre Awards on Sunday, October 9. In 2015 the winner was the Theatre Royal, Newcastle.

A spokesman for the awards said: "This is an opportunity for audiences to celebrate their local theatre and all they do for their local communities.

"The UK Theatre Awards are the only nationwide awards to honour outstanding achievement in theatre throughout the United Kingdom. This year's ceremony will again take place at London's historic Guildhall," he added.

Julian Bird, chief executive, UK Theatre, said: “Theatres throughout the UK play a crucial role in the heart of our communities and continue to thrive despite a challenging financial climate. This award gives audiences the chance to show how much their venue means to them.”

For more information on the UK Theatre Awards and to book tickets, visit www.uktheatre.org/awards. The UK Theatre Awards are supported by Smooth Radio, UK Theatre Insurance, White Light, Theatre Tokens, John Good and Harbottle & Lewis.