Tonic Theatre Announces 2nd Annual Tonic Awards Hosted By Dame Jenni Murray

Tonic Theatre today announce the 2nd annual Tonic Awards, celebrating the achievements of game-changing women in theatre and the performing arts. The ceremony, which launched last year returns to the May Fair Theatre, at the May Fair Hotel on Monday 19 March 2018 hosted once again by Dame Jenni Murray. Attendees will include senior figures from across the theatre industry.

Lucy Kerbel, Director of Tonic, said today: 'I'm thrilled that the Tonic Awards are returning in 2018, to celebrate the achievements of another cohort of women whose work redefines the role of women in the performing arts, and changes the stories we see on stage. As well as pushing for further change, we need to recognise those at the top of their game, in particular so young women have role models to aspire to. After the success of last year's Awards, I look forward to another celebratory evening which will hopefully also spark conversation about where we go next, and how we can support each other to get there.'

Sita McIntosh, Chair of Tonic's Board of Trustees, said: 'Tonic's work has always been about shining a light on the success stories, as well as driving for greater representation of women at senior levels in the industry. Last year's Awards were so inspiring, and I look forward to celebrating another extraordinary group of women at the forefront of our industry.'

Dame Jenni Murray, said today: 'I'm delighted to be asked to present the Tonic Awards for a second time. It's wonderful to see the important contribution women make to British theatre celebrated in this way'.

Last year's inaugural Tonic Awards brought together figures from across the industry to celebrate women who are game-changers within the industry, and significant organisations, projects and productions that redefined the role of women in the performing arts, both on and off stage.

Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director of the Royal Court, said at last year's awards: 'To get to these awards, and to have all these people in this room celebrating inclusion and diversity and new voices is really radical, and also does show that we are part of a shift which I hope will be a tipping point that we won't go back from. It really feels like the revolution has started'.

Recipients of last year's inaugural Tonic Awards were:

Rosemary Squire OBE for her trailblazing career, presented by Sonia Friedman; Phyllida Lloyd's all-female Shakespeare Trilogy, presented by Tanya Moodie; Emma Rice for her opening season at The Globe, presented by Tanika Gupta; Anna Newell, for creating outstanding theatrical events for the youngest audience, presented by Moira Buffini; Indhu Rubasingham for her commitment to diversity and creating a 'theatre for all', presented by Adrian Lester; Dawn Walton for Eclipse Theatre's ambitious and strategic Revolution Mix programme, presented by Karena Johnson; Jenny Sealey, for her work as a theatre leader, artist and advocate for D/deaf and disabled artists, presented by Dame Harriet Walter; Paule Constable, trailblazing and award-winning lighting designer, presented by White Light Managing Director Bryan Raven and Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour for an outstanding showcase of female talent and a refreshing depiction of teenage girls, presented by Lucy Kerbel.

Tonic supports the theatre industry to achieve greater gender equality in its workforces and repertoires. They partner with leading theatre companies around the UK on a range of projects, schemes and creative works. Their goal is to give colleagues across the industry the tools that they need to ensure more female talent rises to the top.

www.tonictheatre.co.uk

Lucy Kerbel was an award-winning theatre director prior to founding Tonic Theatre. It was while directing around the UK that Lucy became interested in the question of gender equality in theatre. She recognised the industry would need better support if it were to achieve greater gender balance in its workforces and repertoires and so in 2011 she founded Tonic to go some way towards achieving this. She now heads Tonic's work across theatre, the performing arts and wider creative industries.

Lucy is the author of two books: 100 Great Plays for Women and All Change Please - A Practical Guide to Achieving Gender Equality in Theatre, both published by Nick Hern Books. She is a regular speaker on women in the arts and is on the board of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for women playwrights.

Sita McIntosh is Chief Operating Officer at WhatsOnStage.com, where she also heads up the WhatsOnStage Awards.

Jenni Murray DBE is a broadcaster and journalist, probably best known for presenting BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour since 1987. She has written a number of books on women including The Woman's Hour: A History of Women Since World War II, Is It Me or Is It Hot In Here: A Modern Woman's Guide to the Menopause and That's My Boy! A Guide for Parents. Her latest book, entitled A History of Britain in 21 Women (Oneworld Publications) is a history of Britain, presented as you've never seen it before, through 21 women whose lives enthral and beguile, intrigue and inspire. Murray tells the stories of the woman who refused to succumb to the established laws of society, whose lives embodied hope and change. Famous queens, forgotten visionaries, great artists and trailblazing politicians - all pushed back boundaries and revolutionised our world.

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