This year’s UK Theatre Awards, presented on Sunday 18 October at The Guildhall, London, honoured the exemplary work of Trinity Laban alumni.

Matthew Bourne OBE was given The Stage Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre, while Candoco Dance Company, co-directed by Trinity Laban alumni Stine Nilsen and Pedro Machado, picked up Achievement in Dance for its revival of Jérôme Bel’s The Show Must Go On.

Matthew Bourne OBE graduated from Trinity Laban in 1986 after studying dance at the conservatoire at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. He soon founded his own company, Adventures in Motion Pictures, before launching New Adventures in 2002. Both acquired numerous awards, producing a medley of truly memorable performances – The Car Man, Edward Scissorhands and a reimagining of Swan Lake to name a few. In addition, Matthew has choreographed for musicals and theatrical works including Oliver!, The Tempest and As You Like It.

Both Stine Nilsen and Pedro Machado joined inclusive dance company Candoco after completing studies at Trinity Laban, and were appointed artistic co-directors of the company in 2007. Their collective collaborators include Javier de Frutos, Angela Woodhouse, Emilyn Claid and Siobhan Davies. The Show Must Go On, a pop music-fuelled analysis of the relationship between art and life, debuted in March 2015.

The UK Theatre Awards are the only prizes of their kind to recognise regional theatre throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Compère Michael Xavier was joined by a host of celebrity guest presenters, including Anne Reid MBE, Barbara Windsor MBE and Sir Patrick Stewart MBE.

To find out more about the event, see the UK Theatre Awards website.