The Olwen Wymark Awards, organised through The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain uniquely recognise encouragement of new writing.
The Awards—an idea of playwright Mark Ravenhill—are an expression of public gratitude by WGGB members to those who supported their new writing during the previous year.
David James, former chair of the WGGB Theatre Committee and long-time award organiser, said, “the award was set up to make a statement of how important encouragement is, and is based on the simple premise of saying ‘thank you’. Now in its 13th year, it is a bright spot on the Writers’ Guild’s annual calendar.”
The winners of the 13th annual awards are:
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Sue Andrews – Executive Director, Northern Broadsides theatre company
Nominated by WGGB member Deborah McAndrew for her continued support since Deborah’s first production in 2004.
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Ghislaine Kenyon – freelance trainer, curator and author in the area of visual arts and education
Nominated by WGGB member Diane Samuels, for her support with her play Waltz With Me.
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Nicola McCartney – playwright
Nominated by WGGB member Mary Jane Wells for mentoring her for her first play, Heroine: A Female Soldier’s Story.
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Jon McKenna – actor
Nominated by WGGB member Anthony Mariani, for his support as a mentor for Anthony’s play The Rooster Rebellion, in which Jon had the lead role.
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Deirdre McLaughlin – director, dramaturg and actor trainer
Nominated by WGGB member Poppy Corbett for giving her the opportunity to elevate her career to the next level.
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Emma Manton and Matthew Woodyatt
Nominated by WGGB member Jenifer Toksvig, for their support of her writing over many years and recently for her work to support refugee charity UNHCR.
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John Retallack – director
Nominated by WGGB member Zena Forster for his continued mentorship, and support in developing her first original stage play The Fourth Dog.
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Angela Street – Associate Practitioner at Salisbury Playhouse and Salisbury Arts Centre
Nominated by WGGB member Pippa Roberts for her support of women in theatre and inspiring Pippa during an Emerging Writers course.
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the salon:collective and its Artistic Director Dominic Kelly
Nominated by WGGB member Mike Elliston for championing him following a long career break from playwriting.
The awards are named in honour of playwright Olwen Wymark, supporter of WGGB and former Chair of the WGGB Theatre Committee, who died in 2013.