TV PRESENTER and comedian Sandi Toksvig introduced a national online award ceremony in which Coventry’s Theatre Absolute was honoured for its ‘amazing’ support to city writers.
The city’s independent theatre company based in the Shop Front Theatre in City Arcade, received an Olwen Wymark Award for Exceptional encouragement of theatre writing over the last year.
This national award was presented by the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) last Thursday (April 8) with a welcome speech by WGGB President Sandi Toksvig OBE.
The company’s founders, Julia Negus, Producer and Chris O’Connell, Writer/Artistic Director, were nominated by Coventry writer Alexandra Johnson, for their ongoing supporting to writers in the city for many years.
She said “I nominated Chris and Julia as their support for writers has been amazing. With Lisa too, they share their knowledge, experience and space at The Shop Front Theatre. They’re always there for writers with advice, help and encouragement. They are such an asset to the Writing community. I’m really thankful for all of their help.”
Theatre Absolute has commissioned more 25 writers since 2018, whose work has been performed or read at the Shop Front Theatre under various artistic programmes including ‘Are We Where We Are’ and ‘Humanistan’.
During the pandemic, Chris, Julia and their projects co-ordinator, Lisa Franklin, have continued to offer development and mentor support including hosting their writing and dramaturg workshops online and even providing writing exercises through the post.
With support from City of Culture Trust, the company have also expanded their writing work with a city wide programme called City Voices, offering workshops for writers of all levels. Some of these writers have now secured commissions on the RSC’s Faith project as part of the City of Culture events for 2021.
Chris O’Connell from Theatre Absolute said: “We are thrilled to receive such a prestigious national award from the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain. We have been working hard over the years to support and nurture writers and artists in the city, so this is a lovely accolade, not just for us but also for Coventry! Thanks to Alex for the nomination and the Guild, we’re really proud.”
