NEW VIC BORDERLINES WIN PRESTIGIOUS ABTT STEPHEN JOSEPH AWARD FOR GROUND-BREAKING OUTREACH WORK

12th December 2023

The trailblazing work of the New Vic Theatre’s Borderlines programme has been recognised with a national award, as the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) have named them the winners the Stephen Joseph Award for 2023.

New Vic Borderlines was handed the award for its ‘sustained ground-breaking work in inclusive and socially relevant theatre, created with marginalized communities and reaching audiences beyond the mainstream’. They were presented with a certificate and specially designed mini ‘theatre in-the-round’ bronze trophy during a celebration at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End on Friday 8 December.

Commemorating the life and work of leading British theatre pioneer and founding member of ABTT, Stephen Joseph, the aim of the award is to recognise excellence in innovative and inclusive theatre, and celebrate the ways contemporary theatre practitioners continue to break new ground in engaging their audiences.

Susan Moffat, Director of New Vic Borderlines, said: “This award is amazing recognition for the innovative and inclusive work we’ve been making through New Vic Borderlines for over 20 years. This is especially so, as our work stems directly from the ambition and inspiration of Stephen Joseph and Peter Cheeseman to reinvigorate theatre, making it accessible and relevant. We create theatre with marginalised communities, including those deemed hard to reach, providing an inclusive space for our groups to make sense of their lives, exploring creative and positive ways to understand and address the challenges they face through placing their stories centre stage. This work often takes place in front of audiences who are not typical theatregoers allowing for a collaboration of performer and audience to imagine and co-create a positive future. Through our work, left out communities and unheard voices find a safe space to challenge pre-conceptions and make positive changes to their own lives and communities. We’re delighted and proud to have been awarded the Stephen Joseph Award and look forward to continuing to create innovative, inclusive theatre that truly does make a difference to society.”

New Vic Borderlines faced strong competition from Frozen Light, Hurly Burly Theatre, Shakespeare North Playhouse and Children’s Play Theatre Zuni Icosahedron Hong Kong who were shortlisted. The award panel’s decision however was unanimous, with the ‘sheer range of work done to engage people in the area’ cited as one of the factors key to Borderlines’ success in winning the award. It was also noted that the Borderlines programme builds on a rich history of community theatre in the Potteries that largely stems from Stephen Joseph’s and Peter Cheeseman’s pioneering work at the ‘old’ Vic which preceded the New Vic.