Where is the ceremony venue?
The Ceremony is happening in the Cambridge Theatre located in Covent Garden, home to the RSC’s award-winning production of ‘Matilda The Musical’.
The Cambridge Theatre address:
Will the ceremony still be livestreamed for those not attending in person?
Yes, the ceremony will be livestreamed from 12pm on the Carnegies website for any groups that cannot attend in person.
How do I sign up my group to attend?
Groups can now register their interest to attend. Groups will be contacted by the end of February 2025 to advise if they have been successful or are on the waiting list.
We ask that no children under 4 years of age attend and that all groups have chaperones.
What are the timings?
We ask that groups arrive from 11am and are all seated by 11:15am.
There will be live activities from 11.20am in the auditorium before the ceremony for the shadowing groups attending.
The ceremony and live stream will start at 12pm and finish by 12.50pm, when attendees will be ushered out of the theatre promptly so the venue can prepare for their production of ‘Matilda The Musical’ that evening.
Can we eat a packed lunch?
Groups can eat their packed lunches in their seats in the auditorium before the ceremony from 11am until 11.45am. Please ensure your group clears up any rubbish afterwards.
How do I get there?
Information on getting to the theatre is provided on the Cambridge Theatre website.
By coach
If you’re travelling by coach, parking and 20-minute coach bays are available throughout Theatreland, including at the base of Kingsway.
Coach parking is available at £4 p/h to use the Kingsway bays, 10am-4pm and 7pm to midnight, with a 4-hour maximum stay. For more information visit: TFL Special Parking Arrangements
Coach drop off points are available at coach bays on Russell Street and Shaftesbury Avenue. Both of these are less than a 10 minute walk to the Cambridge Theatre. You can view their exact locations on the map here.
Useful information for operating coaches in London is provided by TFL.
Unfortunately we cannot assist with coach parking or drop off points beyond the third-party information provided above.
By public transport
If travelling by train, the closest underground stations are Covent Garden (Piccadilly line) and Leicester Square (Piccadilly and Northern lines). For step-free access, the closest station would be Tottenham Court Road, about 500 metres from the theatre. The closest rail station is Charing Cross station.
By car
The nearest car parks are in Chinatown and the Intelli-Park car park on Parker Mews. Pre-book your car parking at the Intelli-Park car park through this link and receive 30% off. Congestion charges for central London apply.
Are there toilet facilites onsite?
Yes, there are toilet facilites in the Cambridge Theatre which will be available before the ceremony. Attendees should use the facilites and be in their seats by 11.45am.
Can we reserve specific seats?
Group seats will be allocated upon arrival by Cambridge Theatre staff on a first-come-first-served basis. When booking, there will be a spot to note any access requirements for your group, and seats will be reserved for those with access requirements.
Will we be able to purchase refreshments?
Yes, the dress and ground level bars in the theatre will be open for purchasing refreshments before the ceremony, including the ice cream parlour. Cash or card payments will be accepted.
Can we purchase books on the day?
Yes, our official book supplier Scholastic will be selling the shorlisted and winning books in the lobby.
Will there be photography and videography?
After CILIP confirms attendance, group leaders will be provided with a consent form that will need to be completed for each child to consent for photography and videography on the day. Unfortunately anyone under 18 who has not had the form completed will not be allowed to attend.
Due to the nature of the event, all attendees will appear in wide shots of photos and videos. If a parent/guardian opts their child out of videography and photography via the consent form, we will have a lanyard for the child to wear so our photographer and videographer avoid close-up shots of the child, but we cannot guarantee they will not appear in wide group shots.
What do we do about risk assessments?
You can download the letter regarding risk assessments from the Cambridge Theatre here.
We will not be able to generate Risk Assessments which are specifically tailored to the needs of individual parties. It is the responsibility of the party organiser to do this for their own needs.
Is there security at the venue?
Yes, information about the venue security is available here.
What are the fire and evacuation procedures?
The Cambridge Theatre Front of House attendants are fully trained in evacuation and safety procedures. A theatre Fire Marshal is on duty for every performance and trained First Aiders are in place.
All LW Theatres are licensed for public entertainment by the relevant London Borough Council.
They also have a comprehensive Health and Safety Policy, Security Strategy and associated policies.
Is the venue accessible?
Yes, full details on the Cambridge Theatre’s accessibilty are here.
Will we get to meet the authors and illustrators?
Lots of our shortlisted authors and illustrators will be at the event with us and visible on stage as part of the awards ceremony and pre-ceremony entertainment, but due to the number of young people attending, they will not have an opportunity to meet them directly. All groups will leave the theatre immediately following the ceremony.
Should students where school uniforms?
Yes, students should wear their uniforms.
Who do I contact with any other question?
Please email carnegies@cilip.org.uk for any questions which are not answered above and we will respond within 5 working days.