Kathryn speaks about Nottingham Playhouse with a kind of luminous conviction that makes you believe in the future of British theatre. “We want to be a theatre of the people,” she says, her voice warm but resolute. “A place where everyone feels welcome, represented, and able to take part.” And as we discover in our conversation, this advocacy of inclusivity and creative development forms the heartbeat of every programme, every production, every outreach initiative. Nottingham Playhouse’s work is not simply about staging shows; it is about cultivating belonging. It is also very much a producing theatre, differing from many other regional theatres who largely receive productions, with it impressively producing seven to ten shows every year.
That sense of belonging begins with the artists. The East Midlands has long been a cradle of exceptional talent — Jane Upton, William Ivory, Beth Steel, James Graham — writers whose work pulses with regional identity and national relevance. Nottingham Playhouse has championed them not as occasional local gems, but as central voices in the British cultural landscape, providing them with unwavering support, which is repaid when they maintain their ties with the theatre team long after they have reached the national stage. We see this with the premiere of Till the Stars Come Down by Beth Steel in the Autumn. Kathryn describes the region as “bursting with extraordinary artists,” and Nottingham Playhouse’s innovative Amplify programme, run by Artist Development Producer Beccy D'Souza, is proof of that belief in action.
Designed to nurture local talent, Amplify invites writers, performers and makers to go on a personal journey, discovering and honing their talent through the theatre’s outstanding programme of workshops, mentoring, dramaturgy, rehearsal space and the rare gift of genuine visibility. Recent seasons have showcased Ty’rone Haughton’s ‘explosive and visceral’ Made You Look, brand new writing from Grace Carter, every God has its day, and extracts from two shows heading to the Edinburgh Festival, Brick by Noah Xavier and A Foot is Not a Suitable Prize for the Tombola by Dan McVey. These works aren’t just seen as stage pilots, rather they are celebrated as part of Nottingham Playhouse’s artistic fabric, proudly presented to audiences who recognise their authenticity and who return time and time again to support the Amplify Seasons, and its quarterly performances.
This commitment to local storytelling has produced remarkable moments, none more striking than James Graham’s Punch. Set in Nottingham, rooted in its political and cultural heartbeat, Punch became the highest grossing play in the theatre’s history and even found itself raised in Parliament. It was a national phenomenon born from a local tragedy, a reminder that authenticity resonates far beyond geographical borders. Kathryn reflects on its success with a smile: “It showed that when you tell a story truthfully, people everywhere connect, and we knew that the underlying currents in the narrative and the emotive power of Punch would translate on any stage anywhere, so we are thrilled at its success.”
“It’s important to note here, too”, Kathryn adds, “that this is a tremendous example of why our team, headed up by Adam Penford, our acclaimed Artistic Director, excels in this type of production. Punch tells the true-life story of Jacob Dunne, who on a night out in Nottingham, throws an impulsive punch, leading to fatal consequences. Searching for answers, Joan and David, the parents of his victim James - ask to meet, sparking a profound transformation in Jacob's life. We worked closely alongside Joan and David, making sure they were comfortable with how characters were being portrayed and the emotional truth of the story.
“We want to tell local stories, we are extremely good at spotting them and bringing them to the stage, but this is because we can translate which stories are most likely to resonate with audience members or bring their emotions alive, and we show care, sensitivity and diligence in working with real people to cover these incredible life experiences. We saw this more recently in our July showing of The Market Deeping Railway Club and all its authenticity, raw emotion, and powerful community narrative.”
Nottingham Playhouse’s programming very much reflects the diversity of stories and events and the richness of the local area, with it being intentionally varied, inclusive and socially conscious. Productions such as the recent Small Island have illuminated the Windrush story with compassion and urgency, inviting audiences not only to witness history but to feel its reverberations in the present.
This commitment to community is also powerfully embodied in Nottingham Playhouse’s status as a Theatre of Sanctuary. For refugees, asylum seekers and people seeking safety, cultural spaces can feel intimidating or inaccessible. Nottingham Playhouse has worked deliberately to change that. Through creative workshops, language friendly activities, partnerships with local support groups and staff training, it has built an environment where marginalised communities feel not only welcome but genuinely involved. Kathryn speaks about this work with deep sincerity: “It’s not just about opening the doors. It’s about making sure people feel safe walking through them, and a part of something.”
Adam Penford, noted: “What’s unique about Nottingham Playhouse is that we create theatre that is bold, sometimes challenging, and is proudly made in Nottingham by our talented staff and craftspeople. We work alongside our local community to make sure everyone feels that they belong in our building, be that artists or young people or refugees, and that they see themselves reflected on stage and in our work.”
Accessibility is woven into the theatre’s fabric. Nottingham Playhouse has invested heavily in making its spaces and performances genuinely inclusive; from relaxed performances and captioned shows, for example, to audio description, BSL interpreted, touch tours and dementia friendly performances.
The building itself has been thoughtfully adapted to ensure that audiences with mobility needs can navigate it with ease. Kathryn emphasises that accessibility is not an add on but a core value: “Everyone deserves to experience theatre in a way that feels comfortable and empowering.” This commitment extends beyond the auditorium, shaping workshops, community events and youth programmes so that they are open to all, regardless of ability or background. “In fact,” Kathryn adds “23% of our staff identify as disabled or deaf. People can see themselves reflected in our staff and on-stage, and that matters.”
Sustainability is another pillar of Nottingham Playhouse’s identity. In an era where cultural organisations must reckon with their environmental impact, it has taken meaningful steps to reduce waste, lower emissions and embed greener practices across its operations. “We’ve recently invested in a 31,140 square foot workshop, which is hugely significant”, Kathryn points out. “At a time when others in the industry are pulling back due to the ever mounting costs and financial challenges the industry is facing, we are taking a bolder stance, call it a calculated risk, so we can achieve our sustainability goals, and increase not only our green credentials but hopefully be creative in finding revenue streams.” The new workshop will not only provide more space to make sets and store materials, but it will give Nottingham Playhouse space to now store its old sets, so they can be repurposed for new shows, or offered out on loan. There will also be new space for other productions and theatre groups to store their materials here.
We can see that Nottingham Playhouse is approaching every aspect of its operations in the same bold, inclusive, socially and environmentally conscious way it does with its productions. Amidst the cost of living crisis and rocketing resources, the team are committed to ensuring that the programme of events and community pledges remain unaffected, making strategic decisions and opening up revenue streams creatively to ensure they can keep offering their free services and ticket prices remain accessible.
As autumn approaches, Nottingham Playhouse prepares for one of its most exciting seasons yet. In September, it will host the regional premiere of Beth Steel’s Olivier nominated West End hit Till the Stars Come Down. Securing such a major production for its first run outside London is no small feat, but for here, it feels beautifully fitting. Steel is an East Midlands writer, and her work, beautifully enriched with working class identity, family dynamics and social truth resonates deeply with local audiences.
As we talk with Kathryn, we can see that for all its accolades, Nottingham Playhouse remains disarmingly accessible. You do not need theatre experience, training or insider knowledge to get involved. You simply need curiosity and an open mind.
The theatre participation team, with its dedicated in-house staff and extensive freelance network, offers exciting children’s events, youth programmes, such as the highly successful Shine series, community groups, creative workshops, open auditions, volunteering opportunities, and even backstage tours, and the programme of activities is hugely popular. “We work with schools and also independently, reaching out to communities that may not otherwise have access to the power and personal positives that theatre can bring”, explain Kathryn with a smile. “It’s wonderful to see young people growing in confidence, learning to express themselves, finding identity, all through the work we are doing.”
And the wider, and older community benefit, too; Nottingham Playhouse offers drama groups for adults who have never acted before, movement workshops, and intergenerational projects that bring families together through shared creativity. Local people can join choirs, participate in community productions, explore writing, or simply attend social gatherings that celebrate the joy of being part of something bigger. These groups are not about producing polished performances; they are about building confidence, connection and community spirit. Very much returning that beautiful heartbeat of Nottingham Playhouse; giving people a place to belong.
And for emerging artists, the message is clear: “Whether you’ve been coming for years, or you have never stepped inside a theatre before, there is a place here for you. You can find out more about our Amplify membership, which is completely free, and discover a host of exciting opportunities and incentives. It’s worth having a look and seeing how you can become involved.”
We ask Kathryn, as we approach the end of our chat, what for her is so special about the Nottingham Playhouse environment. Her response is beaming “Well, I’d never worked in theatre before, but it’s always been a lifetime passion. I’d say it’s unique because of the people. We are blessed to have hugely talented people who spot ideas and bring them to life, and it’s a very forward-driven, positive approach from the top down which gives us the belief we can tackle anything. Oh, and I love the building and its architecture!”
As the new season unfolds, with some brilliant fresh writing, a genuine community celebration, family friendly programming and creative opportunities to meet artists, explore behind the scenes and discover compelling new stories, we know that Nottingham Playhouse cannot fail to delight…
Join Nottingham Playhouse
If you feel the pull to be part of something special, to step into a space where creativity and community intertwine, Nottingham Playhouse is waiting for you. Explore the many ways to get involved — from productions to becoming a Member, from youth theatre to artist development - at www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
You can also see the exciting, carefully curated and culturally diverse programme of events here: www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/whats-on
Images: Punch 2026. Image courtesy of Pamela Raith Photography.
Punch post show discussion in the Talking Circle. Image courtesy of Nottingham Playhouse.
Participant from Open Stage Young Company. Image courtesy of Nottingham Playhouse.
The Conversation Café at Nottingham Playhouse. Image courtesy of Nottingham Playhouse.
One of the team at Nottingham Playhouse busy in the props department. Image courtesy of Nottingham Playhouse.
Scenic art team painting panto backcloth. Image courtesy of Nottingham Playhouse.
Till the Stars Come Down. Image courtesy of Nottingham Playhouse.
Shine participants celebrating 10 years. Image courtesy of Nottingham Playhouse.
Nottingham Playhouse 2025. Image courtesy of Nottingham Playhouse.
