Chiswick creatives celebrate Tabard Theatre’s award as London Pub Theatre of the Year

Phyllis Logan and Torin Douglas with Sarah and Simon Reilly

An impromptu party to celebrate with directors Simon and Sarah Reilly

Stars of stage and screen, writers, producers and critics gathered at the Tabard pub on Saturday night (1 November) to celebrate the Tabard Theatre’s award as London Pub Theatre of the Year.

READ ALSO: Tabard theatre named London Pub Theatre of the Year

Actors Phyllis Logan, Kevin McNally, Suzy Kane and Gareth Armstrong joined veteran theatre critic Michael Billington, The Mousetrap artistic director Denise Silvey, violinist David Juritz and other members of Chiswick’s creative community to congratulate the theatre’s directors Simon and Sarah Reilly on their award.

John Higginson, manager of the Tabard pub, laid on glasses of Prosecco as as Torin Douglas, director of the Chiswick Book Festival, proposed a toast to Simon and Sarah and handed them a framed plaque created by theatre ‘angel’ Alan Weavis, husband and business partner of the caterer Harriet Benton.

Simon Reilly, Jenny de Montfort and Michael Billington

Torin Douglas said:

“It’s a terrific achievement to be named London Pub Theatre of the Year and a great recognition of all that Simon and Sarah have done since taking over the Tabard Theatre three years ago.

“We wanted to thank them, and I was delighted that so many of Chiswick’s artistic community were here for the occasion.”

Nick Bromley, Sarah and Simon Reilly

Simon Reilly said:

“This was a lovely thing to do in the pub that we have such a close relationship with. To be recognised as Pub Theatre of the Year is such an honour, and to also take home two awards for our in-house productions is truly humbling.

“These wins are a testament to the incredible artists, staff, and audiences who make the Tabard such a special place.”

Others who attended the celebration included theatre consultant and producer Simon Thomsett, Tabard Theatre associate director Nick Bromley, casting agent Richard Evans, pianist Mark Viner, music producer Tom Patterson,  chair of the Creative Rights Alliance Deborah Annetts, Bedford Park Festival organiser Nicola Chater, artist and designer Jane Davies, Chiswick Book Festival poetry judges Carol Douglas and Susan Stanley Carroll, writer Jenny de Montfort, and the vicar of St Michael & All Angels Church Fr Kevin Morris.

The Tabard has just announced its new productions for 2026 will include Round About Hogarth, Gareth Armstrong’s new play about William Hogarth and David Garrick, opening in February.

That will be followed by Imogen Stubbs starring as Leni Riefenstahl in A Thing of Beauty, a new play by Wendy Oberman and Jonathan Lewis.

Torin Douglas, Sarah and Simon Reilly, Jane Davies

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