Theatre Centre names Danny Braverman winner of Brian Way award

Children’s touring company Theatre Centre has revealed playwright Danny Braverman to be the winner of this year’s Brian Way award, which recognises work for young audiences.

Braverman was presented with a £6,000 prize for his play Wot? No fish!!, which he also performs solo in, at a ceremony held in London this evening.

The show, based on the cartoons drawn by Braverman’s great uncle on the back of his wage slips for his wife throughout their marriage, premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the summer. It is produced by Bread and Circuses theatre company.

The award money is for developing a new play “without the pressure of deadlines or a commissioning brief”.

Playwright Evan Placey led the judging panel, which also included Bryony Lavery, Sabrina Mahfouz, Janice Okoh and Roy Williams.

Natalie Wilson, artistic director of Theatre Centre, said: “This play changes the expectations of what theatre for young audiences can be and the stories it can tell. It’s beautiful, poignant and funny, and I’m proud that we are able to recognise it with this award in the name of Theatre Centre’s founder, Brian Way.”

Theatre Centre, which is currently celebrating its 60th birthday, also revealed playwright Lou Ramsden as the winner of its Adrienne Benham award, given to writers that want to develop their work for children.

Ramsden will receive a £2,000 prize as part of an attachment with Theatre Centre.

Meanwhile actors Matt Bradley-Robinson and Adrian Richards picked up the Dorothy L. Sayers Award and each received £500. The prize recognises the achievements of actors whose first professional job has been with Theatre Centre.