Sir Lenny Henry, Sir Tom Courtenay & More Named Patrons of Yorkshire Theatre Company

Northern Broadsides are delighted to announce that actors Sir Lenny Henry CBE, Sir Tom Courtenay, Stephanie Cole OBE, Meera Syal CBE, Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE and playwrights Mike Poulton and Blake Morrison will be joining the award winning Yorkshire theatre company as Patrons.

Northern Broadsides Artistic Director Barrie Rutter said about the announcement:

"Most are famous, all are respected, some are learned, a couple write music and a couple write words and between them there is plenty of "fruit salad"- Knighthoods, OBE's, CBE etc -but overall there is the shared passion and support for the work of Northern Broadsides.

They provide the voice of encouragement for Northern Broadsides to maintain our high standards, relish our audiences and play our part in the rich theatrical network.

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome this distinguished list of new Patrons. Their profile and commitment to theatre and communities will help enhance the reputation of Northern Broadsides as one of the country's leading theatre companies"

Sir Lenny Henry CBE, who appeared in the title role in Northern Broadsides award winning production of Othello and who will be starring in the final series of Broadchurch on ITV 1 said about becoming a Patron.

"I've been asked to say why I am supporting Northern Broadsides as a patron.

Which is an odd question because -without Broadsides, my life would not have transformed. Without Broadsides I would not have taken on one of the greatest tragedies known to man -Othello by William Shakespeare. West Yorkshire Playhouse, then a tour then the Trafalgar theatre in London. Completely changed my life and turned my career around.

More importantly the whole experience gave me colleagues and a frame of reference for acting and performing that have stayed with me ever since. Why am I supporting Northern Broadsides as a patron?

Ask Rutter..."

Like Northern Broadsides Artistic Director Barrie Rutter, Sir Tom Courtenay was born in Hull and shares Barrie's love of Hull City Football Club. He left the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, joining The Old Vic Company in 1960. His first film, 'The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner' was released in 1962. He received Oscar nominations for the films Doctor Zhivago and The Dresser and most recently appeared in films 'Quartet,' Forty-five Years,' 'Dad's Army' and the ITV series 'Unforgotten.' He is a great admirer of Barrie's achievements with Northern Broadsides.

Actress Stephanie Cole OBE, who is best known for appearing in the hit television series Waiting for God, Coronation Street, Open all Hours, Doc Martin and currently the Channel 4 comedy Man Down said:

" I've seen many shows by Northern Broadsides over the years in many surprising and unusual and imaginative venues and have always been excited by their work and been inspired by them. May they have many more years thrilling audiences and introducing so many to 'theatre' "

Actress, playwright, screenwriter and novelist Meera Syal CBE, whose recent television appearances include the second series of Broadchurch and the award winning BBC series Goodness Gracious Me and the Kumars at number 42 said about the Yorkshire company

"I'm delighted to support this dynamic front footed company led by the imitable Barrie Rutter. Having spent too many years growing up thinking theatre wasn't for the likes of me, it's a joy to champion Northern Broadsides who make theatre accessible and exhilarating for all."

Syal's husband Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE, who is also best known for the much loved television series Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars at Number 42, and who appeared ast year appeared alongside Tom Courtney and Nicola Walker in the hit ITV series Unforgotten will also become a Patron of Northern Broadsides.

Playwright Mike Poulton, who adapted The Canterbury Tales for Northern Broadsides in 2010 and who in 2014 adapted the award winning Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies for the Royal Shakespeare Company added:

" More than a quarter of a century ago Barrie Rutter showed us that Shakespeare delivered passionately, and flavoured with strong Yorkshire accents could captivate all parts of the nation - and indeed other nations. And that a good actor who takes pains to understand, and trust his playwright is worth more than a multitude of effects and gimmicks, the imposed concepts of crack-pot directors, or expensive sets and frocks... And he's still at it. Long may it continue."

Playwright, novelist and poet Blake Morrison who has adapted several plays for Northern Broadsides, including The Cracked Pot, Lisa's Sex Strike and We Are Three Sisters, said about becoming a patron:

'I've always enjoyed watching Northern Broadsides productions - and, just as important, especially when they do Shakespeare, listening to them (it's an unexpected pleasure to go the theatre and hear every word). As one of the most vibrant and enterprising companies in the country, they bring huge energy to everything they do. They've made a big difference to my own career, and I'm delighted to support them'

Also joining as Patrons will be former Northern Broadsides Chair RT Hon Lord Shutt of Greetland OBE, FCA; singer and broadcaster Mike Harding; Edith Hall, Professor of Classics at King's College London and Co-Founder of the Archive of Performances of Greek and Roman Drama at Oxford University and Halifax entrepreneur and former Northern Broadsides board member Roger Harvey OBE.

All of the above new patrons will join Lady Patricia, Countess of Harewood who has been the company's loyal patron for the last twenty years.

Northern Broadsides is a unique theatre company with a true northern voice. Its work is characterised by a high degree of theatrical inventiveness and robust performances from a large ensemble cast of multi-talented and charismatic northern actors who all perform in their natural voices. For the past 24 years, it has delighted audiences here and abroad with a growing classic repertoire that has won the company many awards and a loyal following worldwide.

From 9-24 September Northern Broadsides will revive J.B. Priestley's much loved comedy When We Are Married at York Theatre Royal (who will be co-producing the production) and then tour the production until December.

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