The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich is delighted to have been announced as a winner of two UK Theatre Awards at a ceremony in London on Sunday 15 October. The UK Theatre Awards are the only nationwide awards to honour outstanding achievement in performing, producing and management in theatres throughout the United Kingdom.
The Who’s TOMMY was awarded Best Touring Production, directed by Kerry Michael, a New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich and Ramps on the Moon co-production, and the two organisations also received the award for Promotion of Diversity for their ground-breaking work in the inclusion and integration of D/deaf and disabled individuals.
Sarah Holmes, Chief Executive of the New Wolsey Theatre said;
“We’re absolutely delighted to receive both awards, which are huge recognition of the collaboration that is taking place between mainstream mid-scale theatres; we are taking responsibility for working inclusively with The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich D/deaf and disabled people across our organisations and this journey has led us to create a ground-breaking touring production, that has gone on to win the best touring production in the UK this year- which is just phenomenal.
This work would not have been possible without the pioneering collaboration of the strategic partners that have created the Ramps on the Moon consortium and the funding and support we have received from Arts Council England and the Esmée Fairburn Foundation.”
Receiving the award for the Ramps on the Moon consortium’s Promotion of Diversity, Michèle Taylor, Director for Change at Ramps on the Moon said;
“Access is inviting me to the party. Inclusion is inviting me to dance – let’s sit down and organise the party together.
I’m proud to be part of the Ramps on the Moon initiative and delighted that the work has been recognised in this way. These Awards evidence a growing realisation in the sector that quality comes out of diversity. All seven partners have embraced the possibility of getting it wrong and this is where we find the creative edge that gives us exciting theatre and engagement.”
For more information visit uktheatre.org / www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
The UK Theatre Awards are supported by Harbottle and Lewis, White Light, Smooth Radio, Theatre Tokens, Q-Park and Integro in association with Chubb.
