The Montgomery Theatre and Arts Centre has been named as a Theatre of Sanctuary award winner. The scheme, created by the City of Sanctuary UK aims to reward those venues who go above and beyond to encourage understanding and compassion in their communities through local work and programming, as well as their commitment to showing solidarity to those seeking sanctuary.
Taking to social media earlier this morning, the Montgomery Theatre and Arts Centre said: “This prestigious recognition celebrates our commitment to creating spaces that are welcoming and inclusive to all, ensuring people with lived experience feel they are warmly welcomed into our wonderful Sheffield, City of Sanctuary community”. They have asked the local community to “join [them] in celebrating this milestone as we continue to build a community where everyone feels valued”.
The Montgomery Theatre and Arts Centre, established as a meeting hall in 1886, has been showcasing theatre and hosting local groups for many years, surviving the Blitz and its 1971 fire to become a home for many of Sheffield’s theatre and community groups. The venue specialises in platforming productions and activities aimed at children and families, whilst also branching out into other areas.
The theatre has been closed since summer 2023 due to capital redevelopment works, aimed at making the venue more accessible to wider audiences, but have adapted to the works and their overrun, with productions in alternative venues, and working with Sheffield Theatres to ensure groups such as Stand & Be Counted (SBC) Theatre are able to continue their own activities.
Despite the challenges currently being faced by the Montgomery, their announcement as a Theatre of Sanctuary is a remarkable achievement from the local arts venue. Their work is having clear, tangible impact within the local community, and this award is a testament to the hard work that has been undertaken by the theatre’s management. With capital redevelopment works due to complete in the next few months, it won’t be long before audiences can return to the Montgomery and experience their work first hand.
The Montgomery Theatre and Arts Centre is located on Surrey Street in Sheffield City Centre
