Congrats to the Tonic Award Winners
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Tonic Theatre was created in 2011 to encourage the theatre industry to achieve greater gender equality in both its workforces and repertoires. It partners with leading theatre companies and venues across the UK to work on a range of projects, schemes and creative works. Every year it hosts the Tonic Awards which celebrate the achievements of women in theatre. The 2018 Awards took place last night at the Mayfair Hotel and White Light was once again one of the main sponsors.
The Tonic Awards were attended by some of the most prominent names in the theatre industry and presenters included Vicky Featherstone, Kwame Kwei Armah and Maxine Peake. Lucy Kerbel, Director of Tonic Theatre, comments: “The Awards are a great opportunity to bring people together, creating new partnerships and sharing ideas. This last year has shown that a shared voice can make profound change, and the atmosphere of community here tonight reflects that”.
WL’s Managing Director Bryan Ryan adds: “Tonic Theatre is a superb organisation that’s striving for much needed change within the world of theatre and has already achieved so much in the past seven years alone. Recently, the issue of gender equality has become a prominent one in theatre and organisations such as Tonic have been at the forefront of making this discussion happen”.
The range of winners on the evening included:
Emma de Souza, for her tireless commitment to bringing new audiences into London’s West End through Kids Week, which offers families the opportunity to experience theatre together at an affordable price.
Clean Break Theatre Company, for forty years of work on the theme of women and the criminal justice system, giving opportunities to generation after generation of female creatives, and giving voice to women whose experiences are all too often silenced by society.
Waking the Feminists, for a brave and creative campaign to effect positive change in regards to the representation of women in Irish theatre.
The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, for the consistency with which the theatre has programmed and foregrounded work about women, and within that, the diversity of women’s experiences.
Steffi Holtz and Gina Abolins, for their brave decision to speak up about inappropriate behaviour in their workplace, in spite of potential personal and professional repercussions, giving voice to the often unseen and unheard experiences of those working behind the scenes and in less high profile positions.
Kully Thiarai, for her achievements and ethos as an artistic director. In particular, her dedication and energy to creating theatre and artistic experiences for the communities around which the organisation she has led are based.
The winners on the evening
Lyn Gardner, for her dedication to showcasing new voices and productions as a theatre critic and her thoughtful contributions to debate within the theatre industry as a journalist.
Caryl Churchill, for an extraordinary career, in particular her consistent daring to defy form, leading the way for a new generation of female playwrights, breaking down walls within the theatre industry.
Katie Mitchell, for her game-changing artistic work, proactive support of younger female theatre artists, and dedication to foregrounding feminism on stage.
Following the ceremony, Sita McIntosh, chair of Tonic’s Board of Trustees, said: “Tonight has been about celebrating the success stories, and this brilliant group of women have achieved extraordinary things, leading the way for a new generation”.
Bryan adds: “We are always keen to celebrate the achievements of those working in our industry; whether it’s our sponsorship of the Tonic Awards, WhatsOnStage, OffWestEnd or the National Skills Annual Conference. It’s important that we reflect on the brilliant achievements made by certain groups/individuals and that we continue to push for a fairer industry for all”.
Last night saw the first ever Tonic Awards take place at the May Fair Theatre in London. Hosted by Jenni Murray, the awards celebrate the work of women in the theatre industry. Set up by Tonic Theatre, there were nine awards, seven of which were given to individuals, and two which were given to groups. Having supported a range of theatrical organisations for numerous years, White Light was one of the sponsors for the Tonic Theatre Awards.
The winners included Rosemary Squire, co-founder of ATG, Emma Rice, artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe, Indhu Rubasingham, artistic director of the Tricycle, Dawn Walton, artistic director of Eclipse Theatre, Jenny Sealey, artistic director of Graeae Theatre Company and theatre director Anna Newell who all received awards for their work in their respective areas. Another recipient was lighting designer Paule Constable who was presented her award by WL’s Managing Director Bryan Raven.