The Clothworkers' Theatre Award

Now in its fourth year, the Clothworkers’ Theatre Award is part of The Foundation’s five-year £1.25m proactive Dramatic Arts initiative. To be eligible for the £150,000 award, theatres must be English regional ‘producing’ theatres (which produce their own work to be staged in house and on tour, as well as ‘receiving’ work from other theatres). They must also be members of UK Theatre, the UK’s leading theatre and performing arts membership organisation.

In 2017, eight theatres from the East Midlands and West Midlands region were invited to compete for the award, which was won by Derby Theatre. The £150,000 award will be used to mount a two-year community participation and learning programme: Our Place, which invites the community into the heart of a production through a large-scale show based on an adaptation of a children’s novel; and Your Place, which takes theatre into the community, including into deprived settings. On winning the award, Sarah Brigham (Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Derby Theatre) said, ‘We are thrilled to have been given the Clothworkers’ Award to support our production of excellent theatre, which connects the community to the very best artists, theatre makers, and practitioners. Derby Theatre has an increasing reputation for making excellent theatre, innovative participatory programmes, and for reaching audiences and artists from all backgrounds; and this award will help us to further develop that mission.’ The regions to be invited to compete for the Clothworkers’ Theatre Award in 2018 will be the East and the South East of England, with the winner – once again – to be announced at the UK Theatre Awards.

Master Carolyn Boulter presenting a cheque to Derby Theatre.

Luke Thallon was the recipient of the 2016 Clothworkers’ Foundation Laurence Olivier Bursary, which helped him through his final year at the Guildhall School. Luke had to miss his graduation ceremony because it coincided with a performance of a show at the Almeida Theatre, where he was playing the role of Gabriel in Mike Bartlett’s play Albion. The performance earned him a nomination for the Evening Standard’s Emerging Talent Award. Luke said of his nomination: ‘Astonishing! I’ve never been ushered down a red carpet before and the beauty of the Evening Standard Awards is that there are only three categories for actors in plays, and only three nominees in each this year! So to be sitting in the rather star-studded Drury Lane amongst fellow nominees Glenda Jackson and Andrew Scott, and indeed Victoria Hamilton, was just completely dream like. To be there as a recognised actor was just indescribable. I can’t imagine being back anytime soon, but goodness me, still pinching myself.’ Members may be interested in seeing Luke in his next production, The Inheritance, directed by Stephen Daldry. The play has already opened at the Young Vic. Immediate Past Master Michael Jarvis has had the pleasure of meeting Luke and seeing him on stage. He emphasised the continuing interest The Clothworkers’ Foundation takes in all those students it has supported under its proactive programme for the dramatic arts. Luke’s success, while far from typical, is an inspirational reminder of the enduring effect The Foundation’s work can have on those that benefit from its programmes.

Luke as 'Gabriel' in 'Albion'.

© Almeida Theatre, photography by Marc Brenner. Source: 'Evening Standard' (17 November 2017).