The champagne corks were popping this afternoon as our production of Angel Meadow scooped two of the big prizes in this year’s Manchester Theatre Awards ceremony at the Royal Northern College of Music.
Angel Meadow, presented by Dublin’s ANU Productions in the disused Edinburgh Castle pub in Ancoats last June, won the Best Ensemble award, and then followed it up by winning the Best Production award.
“I’m completely overwhelmed,” said Angel Meadow director Louise Lowe after the ceremony, clutching the prestigious award. “I’m proud beyond belief. To be trusted by HOME, the city of Manchester, the people of Manchester, and Ancoats in particular… We were a family, the ANU company and the community company. I’m ecstatic, humbled.”
The show’s Executive Producer, David Fry, was equally chuffed at the panel’s decision. “I was delighted to have brought ANU over from Dublin to Manchester. It was a big risk for the company, and it all paid off. To see it crowned Best Production in the Manchester Theatre Awards is just marvellous.”
To complete a memorable afternoon, Ti Green won the Best Design Award for Romeo & Juliet, the debut production by Walter Meierjohann, our Artistic Director of Theatre. Staged at Victoria Baths, Romeo & Juliet was also short-listed in the Best Ensemble and Best Production categories.
“I’m really delighted for all our staff with the three awards,” said Walter. “The productions show everyone what HOME wants to be. Angel Meadow was a bold production, a high-risk production, and the panel recognised that. I’m particularly delighted for Ti, who really deserved her award. She respected the history of Victoria Baths hugely, and all the staff there deserve a thank you also. It was a great venue to work in.”
If you enjoyed Ti’s work on Romeo & Juliet, her creativity will be showcased again in our opening theatre production, The Funfair, in May. Written by double Olivier-Award winner Simon Stephens, The Funfair is an adaptation of Ödön von Horváth’s classic 1929 play Kasimir and Karoline, set in the bright lights and colour of a funfair in a time of political tensions and uncertainty.
Congratulations to all the Manchester Theatre Award nominees and winners, we can’t wait until next year, not least because we will be hosting the event.