Olwen Wymark Awards winners 2023 announced.

 So proud to be involved for the first time, nominating John and Viv Berry from the Printers Playhouse in Eastbourne, so well deserved.

The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain has announced the winners for its annual Olwen Wymark Awards, which celebrate those who have championed new writing. 

Founded by playwrights Mark Ravenhill and David James, the awards give writers the opportunity to publicly thank those who have given them a positive experience related to new writing in the previous year. 
The winners include directors at Printers Playhouse John and Viv Berry, who were nominated by Alan Spence for their support of his proposals, including workshops, plays, courses and festivals, and producer Matt Brinkler who was nominated by David Kent for the support of his musical Soul Sisters. 

Other winners include associate producer at Harrogate Theatre Porl Cooper, who was nominated by Rachael Halliwell for his mentorship and championing of her work, and producer Pádraig Cusack, who was put forward by Jennifer Lunn for championing her play Es and Flo through several postponements. 

Writer Carl Miller, nominated by Susannah Pearse, and producer and director Peter Leslie Wild, nominated by Lucy Gough, were also recognised. 

James said: “Writing thrives when it is encouraged and, as theatres continue to emerge from the challenges of Covid-19 and face cuts in funding, encouraging writers has never been more important. 
"In the 18th year of the awards, we are pleased to celebrate seven nominees who have all provided steadfast support through difficult times."

The awards are named after playwright Olwen Wymark, who was a former chair of the WGGB Theatre Committee and died in 2013.