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Dateline: 25th June, 2011
Braham Murray to Step Down Founding artistic director of Manchester's acclaimed Royal Exchange Theatre Braham Murray is to step down after heading the company for the whole of its thirty-five year history. Murray first came to Manchester in the mid-sixties, then in his early twenties and director of the notorious Century Theatre where he was known even at that age as "he who must be obeyed" or simply "God" according to Alan Hankinson's book about the Century. Under his leadership, the company split into two, one group touring in the infamous "Blue Box" mobile theatre and the other performing at the Manchester University Theatre (later to become Contact Theatre). He teamed up with directors Michael Elliott and Casper Wrede to form the 69 Theatre Company at the University Theatre, and they were joined by actor James Maxwell and theatre designer Richard Negri to create the unique Royal Exchange Theatre, which opened in 1976. Murray is the only surviving member of that founding group. The theatre is unusual in always having had a team of artistic directors rather than a single person at the helm, and so Murray will leave behind Greg Hersov and relative newcomer Sarah Frankcom to continue running the company. He said of his departure, "The Company has been going through a highly successful artistic period. I leave it in good hands. I will never leave it in spirit." Royal Exchange chairman Paul Lee said, "The Royal Exchange simply would not exist but for Braham. His contribution is unique. He has, throughout his 35 years, kept faith with the original guiding spirit of the vision which drove the birth of the theatre. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude." Sir Tom Courteney, who first worked with Murray in his Century Theatre days and has appeared many times at the Royal Exchange, called the theatre"the most exciting theatre space in the country", adding, "Braham is a very dear friend and our association has meant a very great deal to me. He has been one of the rocks on which the company has been built and I am extremely sorry to see him go." Murray is not directing in the next season, which was recently announced, but will end his duties at the Royal Exchange by taking charge of the musical Wonderful Town, a collaboration between the Exchange, The Lowry in Salford and Manchester's Hallé Orchestra which will be staged at The Lowry in April 2012 before a national tour. His reign as artistic director will officially end in July 2012. David Chadderton
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