London's Offies Announces Charcoalblue as New Award Sponsor

	Previous winners: Blayne George (Masterclass), Blanche McIntyre (Best Director), Alison Hindell (Head of BBC Radio Drama) and Offies host, actress Louise Jameson

London-based theatre design consultancy Charcoalblue is the new sponsor of The Off West End Theatre Awards (Offies).

Charcoalblue is sponsoring the Award for Most Welcoming Theatre (Central, North, South East, East, North West, and South West).

The award is one of the few public nominations awards, allowing theatre fans to vote via the OffWestEnd.com website.

"We're delighted that Charcoalblue, with such an impressive track record for transforming spaces, has thrown its weight behind helping us champion the most welcoming London theatres off the beaten track," says Sofie Mason, director of Off West End. "Independent theatres, wonderfully scattered across London, can have strong personalities that are memorable in a way you would rarely find in the West End. Often theatregoers fall in love with the venue as much as the performance and return because of the bar under the railway arch, the comfortable sofas in the converted paint stores, the warm chatter round the winding staircase, or the excellent food in the old chocolate factory."

Charcoalblue is a UK venue design consultancy that opened its New York studio in 2012. Charcoalblue's team of designers, acousticians, practitioners, and construction professionals are striving to ensure that each and every venue remains true to the artistic vision of those who work in it and the expectations of those who come to see shows in it.

From producers to lighting designers, engineers to architects, the Charcoalblue team offers an intimate understanding and varied perspective on theatre today. Charcoalblue Consultants have collaborated with a wealth of Off-West End venues, helping them to improve and reinvigorate their performance spaces. The critically acclaimed Young Vic, Battersea Arts Centre, The Royal Court, The Tricycle, Lyric Hammersmith, The Pit, and most recently The Cottesloe Theatre are just a small selection from the comprehensive Charcoalblue portfolio.

As Andy Hayles, Charcoalblue's managing partner says: "To me, what makes a welcoming theatre is its people and its vibe. We so enjoy making space that people feel at home in and that contributes to a great sense of belonging."

More than 80 theatres are participating with over 350 productions being considered over the year by 40 qualified assessors made up of members from the Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass and the OffWestEnd.com Super Club.

Other awards up for grabs at the event on February 24, 2013 include best lighting designer, best set designer, and best production.