The Spotlight Awards 2026

Celebrating the vibrant world of amateur dramatics in Hampshire

Brought to you by Express FM, in partnership with The Kings Theatre, Portsmouth, The Spotlight Awards is a brand-new event shining a light on the incredible talent within the local amateur theatre scene.

The awards ceremony will take place on Monday 8th June 2026, featuring live creative performances and awards across a variety of categories, from Best Actor and Best Play to the Unsung Hero Award.

We will recognise excellence, dedication and creativity in all areas of production, both on and off the stage - from a full-scale musical, to an intimate studio play.

👉 Get your tickets for 2026 here! 👈

The Judging Process

To ensure a fair and consistent approach, all productions submitted for consideration were evaluated by a panel of impartial judges using a standardised scoring system. Judges have attended selected productions performed between 1st May 2025 and 30th of April 2026.

Most award categories have been judged by this panel, while select awards - such as Best Touring Professional Production and the Unsung Hero Award - will be decided by public vote.

Productions have been assessed on various criteria including performance quality, direction, technical execution, and overall audience impact.

The Spotlight Awards 2026 Shortlist

👉 Enter The Spotlight Awards 2027 here! 👈 

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See The Spotlight Awards 2026 shortlist