With less than four days of voting remaining, only 50 votes separate the top three nominees for best touring production at the Theatre Awards UK.

Thousands of votes have been cast for the award, which is being run in partnership with The Stage with voting via www.thestage.co.uk.

Julian Bird, chief executive of SOLT/TMA, commented: “We’ve been delighted by the reaction of the public and the nominated companies to the first public vote.  The amount of social media coverage has really helped increase the awareness of these fantastic productions and the awards.  Our media partner, The Stage, has also done a great job in promoting the vote and hosting the videos and pictures of the nominated productions.

“We’re monitoring the voting on a daily basis and it is far too close to call.  There is practically a tie for first place, but I think all five still have a chance to win.  With only a few days to go, every vote counts.

“Ticket sales for the event are also far higher than this point last year and this week we will be announcing our host for the ceremony, along with details of some special guests and entertainment at the awards ceremony on October 28.”

The five productions vying for best touring production are: Anne Boleyn (produced by English Touring Theatre / Shakespeare’s Globe); The King and I (Music & Lyrics / Curve Theatre, Leicester); Reasons to be Cheerful (Graeae / New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich); Swallows and Amazons (The Children’s Touring Partnership/Bristol Old Vic/National Theatre); and We are Three Sisters (Northern Broadsides).

Voting for the Best Touring Production has now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated.