Reading Rep Theatre founder 'delighted' with award nomination

Paul Stacey set up the theatre with nothing but a £500 overdraft, but the group celebrate 10 year this year, and were nominated for Theatre Building of the Year at the prestigious Stage Magazine Awards.

Despite missing out on the award to Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London, Mr Stacey is still proud at the role Reading Rep Theatre are having in local arts.

Above: 'The Backstage Bar' at Reading Rep Theatre (credit: Simon Kennedy) 

He said: “To be nominated, and shortlisted, by our peers, for such a fantastic industry magazine is amazing.

“More importantly it draws attention to the growing arts scene in Reading.

“Anything we can do to showcase the amazing work going on in the town is great.

The whole reason Reading Rep exists is to try and put Reading on the cultural map and mark our place on the national scene, so this draws attention to the work we’re putting in over the next few years.”

Above: Outside the theatre (credit: Simon Kennedy)

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the theatre, with Reading College providing a former home.

The new building only opened in 2021, with work to transform the former Salvation Army building taking three years, and over £1 million.

To make everything harder, most of the fundraising had to take place during the Covid-19 pandemic, however Mr Stacey believes that their efforts in the face of adversity contributed to their nomination.

Above: Inside Reading Rep Theatre (credit: Simon Kennedy)

He said: “We were fundraising from scratch so to get the company to where it is now is a big achievement looking at the people we were up against. To be thought of in that league is a huge achievement.

It was the combination of the tenacity to get it open during the pandemic and what the building looks like [that saw them nominated].

“It is a very special place to work, and we are delighted.”

READ MORE: Reading Rep theatre 'goes from strength to strength'

Click here to find out more about Reading Rep Theatre.