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With the help of industry heavyweights such as Sonia Freidman, Mark Goucher and David Lan, the Off West End Theatre Awards (The Offies) are taking a revolutionary step forward in redefining award ceremonies by connecting the winners with ‘Patron Saints’.
This year, winners in 18 of the award categories will receive an introduction to an expert from within the theatre industry who can give them specialist advice, guide their next steps and facilitate introductions to other practitioners to help progress their careers.
“The aim of The Offies has always been to reward and assist new talent which is essential to the future of theatre. The support of The Offie Patron Saints is another big step in this direction,” said Sofie Mason, Director of OffWestEnd.com – the company that set up the awards 4 years ago.
“The idea to create the Offie Patron Saints was born out of inspired advice from Roland Smith, Artistic Director of Theatre Delicatessen, and is a natural extension of the generous clusters of patrons and angels who have supported theatre in all its forms for so long.”
The Offies are the first awards to acknowledge and celebrate the extraordinary achievements of over 100 independent theatres across London. Winners are chosen from over 400 productions over a 12 month period at venues all over London and then celebrated at an award ceremony by their peers, the press and the blogosphere. They are endorsed by such legends of the industry as Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Simon Callow, Dame Eileen Atkins, Alison Steadman, Lindsay Duncan and Sir Arnold Wesker.
“This is a great celebration of the advance guard of dramatic art, the coal-face of thespian enterprise, the hang-gliding of the stage. The Off-West End is a realm of the imagination where things that have not yet entered the mainstream can be aired and kicked about, youth can flex its muscles, age can throw caution to the winds; where you sacrifice comfort for a life-changing experience and emerge knowing that you saw it here first.” Simon Callow
Mason added “Off-West End is the breeding ground for so much talent – I am delighted the Patron Saints have not only agreed to take the best of the best and intercede on their behalf but also to enrich and enliven the industry in the process – a huge thank you to them!”
The forthcoming Offie ceremony will be at the Unicorn Theatre on Sunday 2nd March 2014 5pm to 7.30pm.
The following leaders in the world of UK theatre have committed to supporting the winners in the following categories:
Best Producer SONIA FRIEDMAN
Best Artistic Director DAVID LAN
Best Production MARK GOUCHER
Best New Play JACK BRADLEY
Most Promising New Playwright JACK BRADLEY
Best Director RUFUS NORRIS
Best Lighting PAULE CONSTABLE and DAVID HOWE
Best Sound Designer PAUL ARDITTI
Best Set Designer BILL BUCKHURST
Best Costume Designer NATALIE ABRAHAMI
Best Choreographer STEPHEN MEAR
Best Ensemble POLLY TEALE
Best Musical Production NIA JANIS and MATTHEW BYAM SHAW
Best New Musical NIA JANIS and MATTHEW BYAM SHAW
Best Opera NICHOLAS PAYNE
Best TBC (for productions that defy definition) TONI RACKLIN
Best Production for Young People JOHN RETALLACK
The shortlist of nominees in each category in alphabetical order:
Best Female
Leanne Best for The Match Box at The Tricycle
Lucy Ellinson for Grounded at The Gate
Vicki Lee Taylor for On A Clear Day You Can See Forever at The Union
Phoebe Waller-Bridge for Fleabag at Soho
Best Male
Joe Armstrong for The Dumb Waiter at The Print Room
James Cooney for Bottleneck at Soho
Michael Pennington for Dances of Death at The Gate
Jamie Samuel for Jumpers for Goalposts at The Bush
Best New Play
Bottleneck by Luke Barnes at Soho
Jumpers for Goalposts by Tom Wells at The Bush
The Match Box by Frank McGuinness at The Tricycle
Most Promising New Playwright
Thomas Eccleshare for Pastoral at Soho
Sam Potter for Mucky Kid at Theatre 503
Phoebe Waller-Bridge for Fleabag at Soho
Best Director
Jamie Glover for The Dumb Waiter at The Print Room
Max Pappenheim for Nothing Is the End of the World at The Finborough
Michael Strassen for Billy at The Union
Best Choreographer
Cressida Carré for Titanic at Southwark Playhouse
Lizzie Gee for HMS Pinafore at The Union
Christopher Howell and Steven Harris for Chess at The Union
Best Ensemble
Simple8 for Moby Dick (Arcola) and The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (Arcola)
Best Producer
Sasha Regan at The Union
Best Artistic Director
David Byrne at The New Diorama
Sasha Regan at The Union
Paul Robinson at Theatre 503
Best Lighting Designer
Dan Herd for The Life and Sort of Death of Eric Argyle at Soho Theatre
Howard Hudson for Titanic (Southwark Playhouse) and Lizzie Siddal (Arcola)
Matt Leventhall for Fishskin Trousers at The Finborough
Best Sound Designer
Ben and Max Ringham for Ring at Battersea Arts Centre
Simon Slater for The Life of Stuff at Theatre 503
Fergus Waldron for Casualties at Park Theatre
Best Set Designer
Oliver Townsend for Grounded at The Gate
Jamie Vartan for The Last Yankee at the The Print Room
Michael Vale for Pastoral at Soho
Best Costume Designer
Amedine Bello for Little Soldiers at The Cockpit
Elle-Rose Hughes for Darling of The Day at The Union
David Woodhead for Lizzie Siddal at The Arcola and for Titanic at Southwark Playhouse
Best Production
Grounded at The Gate
Jumpers for Goalposts at The Bush
Land of Our Fathers at Theatre 503
Best Musical Production
Billy at The Union
On A Clear Day You Can See Forever at The Union
Titanic at Southwark Playhouse
Best New Musical
Another Way at The Cockpit
Glasgow Girls at Theatre Royal Stratford East
Streets at The Cockpit
Best Opera Production
L’Orfeo Monteverdi by Silent Opera at Trinity Buoy Wharf
Mansfield Park by Hampstead Garden Opera at Upstairs At The Gatehouse
Puppet Opera Triple Bill by Third Hand at The Rosemary Branch
Best Production for Young People
Cinderella at The Unicorn co-produced with Travelling Light and The Tobacco Factory
Egg by Cahoots NI at Polka Theatre
Henry V at The Unicorn
Best TBC Production (recognising productions that defy all other categories)
Bryony Kimmings: Credible Likeable Superstar Role Model at Soho
Tomorrow’s Parties by Forced Entertainment at BAC
Wuthering Heights by PeterMcMaster at BAC
For further information and images please contact Susan Morton on:
07810 648035
susan@mortonpr.co.uk
APPENDIX A – Biographies of PATRON SAINTS
Patron Saint of Best Producer
SONIA FRIEDMAN
Sonia Friedman Productions is a West End and Broadway theatre producer responsible for some of the most successful theatre productions in London and New York in recent years. Current productions include: The Book of Mormon, Mojo, Ghosts and the upcoming Shakespeare in Love. Twelfth Night and Richard III are also now playing on Broadway. Sonia is a firm believer in the symbiotic relationship between West End theatre and the work that is created on the Fringe. She admires greatly the unrelenting vigour of all those working in Off-West End theatre and is passionate about helping creative talents flourish.
Patron Saint of Best Artistic Director
DAVID LAN
David Lan was born in Cape Town where he trained as an actor. He has written many plays, libretti and translations which have been produced by the Royal Court, the National Theatre, the RSC, the Almeida and many other theatres, and he was writer-in-residence of the Royal Court in 1995-97. He has travelled widely in Africa and written and directed films for BBC TV. He was appointed artistic director of the Young Vic in 2000 where he has directed and/or produced over 150 shows and led the campaign to rebuild the theatre that opened to acclaim in 2006. David chairs the Belarus Free Theatre and is co-director of World Stages.
Patron Saint of Best Production
MARK GOUCHER
Mark Goucher has been an independent producer since 1986. He produced for a number of years on the fringe and in The Edinburgh Festival, first producing in the West End in 1991. He has since then presented nearly 100 shows in the West End and throughout the country. Mark’s most recent productions include commissioning and producing Yes, Prime Minister for the stage; producing the 1st revival in 35 years of the Broadway classic A Chorus Line, and a new Jeeves and Wooster play adapted from the works of P.G. Wodehouse first produced by Mark for the Edinburgh Festival 20 years ago and now re-visited for its West End debut. Mark is passionate about supporting new independent producers and encouraging and supporting Off-West End productions.
Patron Saint of Best New Play & Most Promising New Playwright
JACK BRADLEY
Jack Bradley was Literary Manager at the National Theatre for 12 years – advising on the repertoire for Richard Eyre, Trevor Nunn and Nicholas Hytner – and spearheading their new play policy in the NT Studio. As a dramaturg he has taught and run workshops internationally and has lectured and taught on creative courses throughout Britain. He has remained committed to the development of new playwrights and is an avid follower of trends on the fringe. He is Literary Associate to Sonia Friedman Productions in the West End of London and until recently Associate of the Tricycle Theatre for 5 years where he has curated as dramaturg such projects as The Great Game, The Riots and The Bomb – A Partial History.
Patron Saint of Best Director
RUFUS NORRIS
Newly appointed artistic director of The National, Rufus Norris is widely regarded as one of the foremost directors working in British Theatre. His work is wide-ranging and innovative – be it in music theatre, new work, adaptation or established plays – and this breadth of interest and experience makes him uniquely suitable to be a Patron Saint.
Patron Saint of Best Lighting
PAULE CONSTABLE and DAVID HOWE
Paule Constable’s biog in The Association of Lighting Designers Year Book reads “Highly collaborative mother of two with attitude”. Paule became a lighting designer having read English at London University and then fell into the business via the music industry. Early recognition came through her work with Theatre de Complicite. She has won 4 Olivier awards and a Tony for War Horse as well as numerous other awards. She works across genres – in theatre, opera and dance.
David Howe trained at The Central School of Music and Drama in the early 90's and has since designed and worked on a wide range of productions; Drama, Musicals and Opera in the West End, Europe, Broadway and internationally. He's honoured to join the ranks of the Patron Saints and to be able to support emerging Lighting Designers as they find their feet both artistically and commercially.
Patron Saint of Best Sound Designer
PAUL ARDITTI
Paul has been designing sound for plays and musicals in both the commercial and subsidised theatre sectors for over 25 years. He has so far garnered a Tony, an Evening Standard Award, two Oliviers and three Drama Desk Awards, and is proud to be a founder member of the Association of Sound Designers. He very much hopes that he can be of use to the winner of the Offies' BEST SOUND award.
Patron Saint of Best Set Designer
BILL BUCKHURST
Bill trained as an actor, working for companies including the RSC, Royal Court, Chichester and Propeller. His directing work has been seen on the Fringe, in the West End and on tour and he has worked extensively at Shakespeare’s Globe. In 2014 he will be directing the Globe's production of ‘King Lear’ and co-directing ‘Hamlet’ which will perform in every country in the world over the next two years. He is delighted to be a Patron Saint for the Offies.
Patron Saint of Best Costume Designer
NATALIE ABRAHAMI
Natalie Abrahami is Associate Director at the Young Vic. Between 2007-12 she was Artistic Director of the Gate Theatre which has thrived on being a springboard for creative talent – Natalie is delighted to be a Patron Saint of the Offies.
Patron Saint of Best Choreographer
STEPHEN MEAR
Described as 'the old-style master of the modern chorus line', Stephen’s prolific career has taken him in all directions from musical theatre on Broadway and the West End to opera at the ENO, Paris and The Met in New York. He has had the chance to work with some of the best in the business winning recognition as one of the best British choreographers today as well as winning two Olivier Awards, the LA Drama Critics Award and the Helpmann Award in Australia for Best Theatre Choreography. Stephen is very proud to be an Associate Choreographer/Director at the Chichester Festival Theatre and for winning both The Companion Award presented by Sir Paul McCartney at LIPA and The Carl Alan Award, ‘the Oscar of the dance world’, for his work in colleges and universities. Stephen is a huge fan of the Offies and is very happy to provide all the support possible to forward the careers of the next generation.
Patron Saint of Best Ensemble
POLLY TEALE
Polly Teale has created a unique body of work as a director and writer that has won audience and critical acclaim with productions transferring to the West End and touring internationally. She is Artistic Director of Shared Experience Theatre and has authored a number of original plays and imaginative stage adaptations including her trilogy of plays inspired by the Brontes. After Mrs Rochester won The Evening Standard award for Best Director and the Time Out award for Best West End production. Her work is rooted in the power of the ensemble and the creative potential of a collective approach to making theatre.
Patron Saints of Best Musical Production and Best New Musical
NIA JANIS and MATTHEW BYAM SHAW
Playful Productions is production and general management company, specialising in plays in the West End and on tour, and musicals both in the UK and internationally. Playful’s productions include: The Weir (Wyndham's Theatre), The Audience (Gielgud Theatre), Flare Path (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Krapp’s Last Tape (Duchess Theatre), Red (Broadway) and Enron (Noël Coward Theatre) and the forthcoming Shrek UK Tour (July 2014).
Previous to Playful Productions Nia Janis was the General Manager for Act Productions and prior to that worked at the Royal Court and the Royal Shakespeare Company. She is currently on the board of Paines Plough and has previously served on the boards of Act Productions and Dumbfounded Theatre.
Matthew Byam Shaw has produced new work in partnership with the Bush Theatre, Sheffield Theatres, Royal Court, Donmar Warehouse, Almeida, Hampstead, Lyric Hammersmith, Gate Dublin, Liverpool Playhouse, Chichester Festival Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, RSC and the National Theatre. Many of these productions have moved to the West End including Don Carlos; Humble Boy; Mary Stuart; Boeing-Boeing; Frost/Nixon; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Spring Awakening; Enron; Krapp’s Last Tape; Hay Fever; Legally Blonde; Yes, Prime Minister; Flare Path; South Downs/The Browning Version; The Audience and Sweeney Todd. New York transfers include Frost/Nixon; Boeing-Boeing; Mary Stuart; Hamlet; Enron; The Pride and Red.
Patron Saint of Best Opera
NICHOLAS PAYNE
Nicholas Payne worked for four of the UK’s leading opera companies – Welsh National Opera, Opera North, the Royal Opera Covent Garden and English National Opera – during a period of over 30 years. He is now Director of Opera Europa, the professional association of 135 opera houses and festivals, with a remit to provide advice and support to opera companies large and small.
Patron Saint of Best TBC (for productions that defy all other categories)
TONI RACKLIN
During her tenure at the Barbican, Head of Theatre Toni Racklin has worked closely with leading international directors, choreographers and companies, including Robert Wilson, the late Merce Cunningham, Robert Lepage, Deborah Warner, Peter Brook, Simon McBurney/Complicite, Schaubuhne Berlin, Toneelgroep Amsterdam and the Pina Bausch Company. Her projects have been nominated and won coveted Olivier, Critics Circle, Evening Standard, Time Out and the Peter Brook Empty Space Awards. Alongside many high profile commissions, she has made it her mission to bring a range of innovative, emerging companies to the Barbican, and is very much looking forward to taking this new role supporting the work of Off West End artists.
Patron Saint of Best Production for Young People
JOHN RETALLACK
John is Tutor in Writing for Performance at Ruskin College, Oxford and has been an Associate Artist at Bristol Old Vic since November 2010. From 2001 to 2011, John was the director of Company of Angels which produces new and experimental work for young audiences. He has written a number of plays in recent years including Arlo, Truant, Apples, Risk, Virgins, Ballroom, Sweetpeter, Club Asylum, The Wild Girl, Hannah and Hanna and he also adapted Junk by Melvin Burgess. His plays are published by Oberon and are regularly performed in the UK and Europe. He is delighted to become a Patron Saint so late in his career.
APPENDIX B – WINNERS & NOMINEES OF THE OFFIES OVER THE YEARS
Look for the headlines on the panel to your right or try the following links:
2013 Winners Announced http://www.offwestend.com/index.php/news/view/156
2013 Nominees Announced http://www.offwestend.com/index.php/news/view/153
2012 Winners Announced http://www.offwestend.com/index.php/news/view/132
2012 Nominees Announced http://www.offwestend.com/index.php/news/view/129
2011 Winners Announced http://www.offwestend.com/index.php/news/view/90
2011 Nominees Announced http://www.offwestend.com/index.php/news/view/87
APPENDIX C – HISTORY OF OFFWESTEND.COM
OffWestEnd.com (OWE) was founded by Sofie Mason, Kevin Nicholas and Diana Jervis-Read in 2005. In 2006 it launched a website which has promoted over 100 independent theatres for the last 7 years, adopted struggling playwrights for 6 years, and run The Offies for 3 years supported by a growing army of theatre practitioners and theatre lovers who offer their time and expertise for free.
OWE has just formed a charitable wing, Off West End Plays & Playwrights, to launch Schoolwrights – a new scheme to place professional playwrights in urban schools to work with teenagers in the East End.
OWE promotes the 100 plus Off-West End theatres in the London area through direct marketing of ticket offers to its own subscriber base as well as with joint ticket promotions with The Guardian, Evening Standard, Prospect Magazine and Time Out.
Our definition of Off West End theatres is:
• Any theatre that is independent, powered by passion rather than profit and not part of the West End wholly commercial theatre ‘chains’
• taken from the point of view of the public looking for independent theatres in London and not from the point of view of the theatres defining themselves
• irrespective of location, size or public funding.
OWE’s mission is:
• To establish Off-West End as a destination as popular and as internationally recognised as ‘Off Broadway ‘and the ‘West End’
• To encourage the general public to understand that going to your local theatre is as easy, as affordable and as natural a reflex as going to your local cinema.
To date we have:
• won the Fringe Report Award for Best Website 2007
• agreed a permanent position on the Theatre Home Page of The Guardian website throughout 2008
• brokered a partnership with the Evening Standard involving a 2-for-1 offer to Londoners every Wednesday throughout 2009
• teamed up with Time Out for a special celebration of independent theatres in 2009, 2010 and collaborated on Daily Deals in 2011 and 2012
• launched ADOPT A PLAYWRIGHT in 2008 to raise £8,000 per year to ‘buy time to write’ for one struggling new playwright a year with mentoring assistance from award-winning playwrights Richard Bean and Fin Kennedy and producer Clive Brill
• launched THE OFFIES in 2010 – the first ever Off West End Theatre Awards – held at Wilton’s Music Hall in February 2011 (300 guests), Theatre Royal Stratford East in February 2012 (400 guests) and Battersea Arts Centre in 2013 (500 guests) with 20 categories judged by established theatre critics and 3 categories voted for by the public
• launched SCHOOLWRIGHTS in 2013 to send professional playwrights into inner city schools for a year to collaborate with 14-15 year olds on creating plays that will be showcased together at Soho Theatre and then toured.
Patrons: Kathy Burke, Louise Jameson, Paterson Joseph & Linda Marlowe
Director: Sofie Mason
Consultants: Diana Jervis-Read & John Gellett
Supported by actors, practitioners and industry figures including: Natalie Abrahami, Paul Arditti, Richard Bean, Rick Bland, Jack Bradley, Bill Buckhurst, Nica Burns, Simon Callow, Paule Constable, Lindsay Duncan, Frank Dunlop, Nelson Fernandez, David Hare, Philip Hedley, David Howe, Alex Jennings, Richard Johnson, Toby Jones, David Lan, Colin McFarlane, Cameron Mackintosh, Ian McKellen, Stephen Mear, Kerry Michael, Ann Mitchell, David Morrissey, Nicholas Payne, Michael Pennington, Toni Racklin, John Retallack, Marla Rubin, Simon Russell Beale, Chris Sandford, Graham Sheffield, Martin Sherman, Ed Snape, Alison Steadman, Tom Stoppard, Janet Suzman, Polly Teal, Rita Tushingham, Don Warrington and Tim Whitnall – all of whom have been guest speakers, presenters, mentors and donors.
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