Lincoln Civic Award for New Theatre Royal custodians

The custodians at the New Theatre Royal in Lincoln marked its reopening from the latest coronavirus lockdown by receiving the Lincoln Civic Award for 2020.

Natalie and Mike Hayes-Cowley were thrilled to receive the award, which couldn’t be officially presented last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The presentation came at an important time for the theatre, which marks its week of reopening with live performances of Strictly Cabaret X that can be seen on Fridays, May 21, May 28, June 11 and June 18, as well as Saturday, June 19.

New Theatre Royal Lincoln Artistic Director Natalie Hayes-Cowley and Managing Director Mike Hayes-Cowley.

The theatre is now looking to put the Civic Award on show to the public.

Giving out the award marked the final official engagement for the current Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Sue Burke.

She was accompanied by the Mayor’s Consort Councillor Chris Burke, City Sheriff Jo Rimmer and the Sheriff’s Consort Kraig Needs, along with the Civic Award trustees.

The new mayor, Councillor Jackie Kirk, and the incoming civic party are starting their year of office on Tuesday, May 18.

Natalie and Mike Hayes-Cowley follow in the footsteps of previous winners – outgoing University of Lincoln Vice-Chancellor Professor Mary Stuart, and former Lincoln City managers Danny and Nicky Cowley, who won the awards in 2019 and 2018 respectively.

Artistic Director Natalie Hayes-Cowley said: “The whole theatre family is honoured to have been presented with the Lincoln Civic Award. Securing this prestigious accolade is beyond what we thought was possible when we became custodians of the theatre back in 2016.

“To be officially recognised as an organisation which has ‘brought credit to the City of Lincoln’ is simply wonderful.

“Like all our achievements, it is very much a team approach at the theatre. Without the passion, hard work, long hours put in by all our staff and our amazing front of house volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to create this magical place that the people of Lincoln know and love.”

Mayor of Lincoln Councillor Sue Burke; Lincoln Civic Award Trustees’ Chairman Henry Ruddock; New Theatre Royal Artistic Director Natalie Hayes-Cowley and Managing Director Mike Hayes-Cowley at the presentation ceremony at the theatre.

Managing Director Mike Hayes-Cowley said: “Being a Lincoln Civic Award winner puts the theatre amongst some incredibly successful people and businesses who have really given something extra to the City of Lincoln.

“We are elated to have at last received this award. This recognition for the theatre and the team behind it makes all the hard work worth it.

“We are delighted to have been visited by Lincoln’s outgoing Civic Party and to have had the award presented by the (outgoing) Mayor Councillor Sue Burke just days before we welcome back theatregoers – thanks to the lifting of the Coronavirus restrictions. We hope they are going to love our sparkling show Strictly Cabaret X.”

Lincoln Civic Award Trustees Chairman Henry Ruddock said: “This award was agreed before the pandemic struck. But only now – fifteen long months later – have we been able to present it.“

“But what an opportunity it has been for recognition, encouragement and optimism. Viva Theatre Royal!, Viva Lincolnia!”