Kenton named best theatre in online awards

THE Kenton Theatre in Henley has been named as the best theatre by an online lifestyle magazine.

The New Street venue won the Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire area heat of Muddy Stilettos Awards, which are voted for online.

It beat off competition from the New Theatre, Oxford, the Aylesbury Waterside, the Elgiva Theatre in Chesham and the Chipping Norton Theatre.

Two of the other five nominees are part of the ATG Group, which has 58 theatres.

Lottie Pheasant, who was appointed general manager of the Kenton in March, said she was “delighted” to be recognised by the public.

She said: "We are delighted that the Kenton Theatre has won the best Theatre/Arts Venue in the Bucks/Oxon area in the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2023. We are so grateful to all those who took the time to vote. 

"Winning this award demonstrates the level of support we have here in the local community and hopefully reminds people how important it is for small independent theatres to be celebrated in this way. This feels like a big achievement for us."

The theatre has now been put forward in the theatre and arts venue category for the national awards, which seek to find the “best of the best” across all 28 counties.