Theatre Royal Plymouth Boss Awarded CBE

Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Chief Executive Adrian Vinken is made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list for ‘Services to Theatre’.

Adrian Vinken is standing down as CEO of TRP in January after 31 years.  In 1990 Adrian inherited a failing organisation with an uncertain future facing huge financial losses and will leave it as one of the most respected, best attended and highest performing theatres in the UK.

During this time, apart from presenting nearly 2000 shows, Adrian was responsible for the development of TR2, the theatre’s unique award-winning Production and Learning Centre on the River Plym and the theatre’s wholesale modernisation in 2013, expanding front of house and catering facilities and creating the building’s third performance space The Lab.  In 2018/19 he oversaw the creation and installation of the controversial Messenger, the largest bronze sculpture in the UK outside the entrance to TRP.

Adrian Vinken said: "I feel a bit of a fraud to be given such an award simply for doing a job I've loved, working with so many talented and committed people in one of the most creative and rewarding professions imaginable. It's a strong public recognition of the success and national reputation that the Theatre Royal enjoys and the brilliant work it continues to do on its stages and in the community serving Plymouth and the far south west region. Congratulations are due to all my TRP colleagues who have contributed to building that reputation".

Adrian was previously awarded an OBE in 2006 for his leadership of the cultural sector in the South West and his pioneering work in Sheffield where he developed The Leadmill arts centre leading to the growth of that city’s cultural industries quarter. In 2018 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Devon.