Neville Shulman said: “Michael Attenborough has been Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre since 2002 and his many excellent and entertaining international productions include: Sam Shepard’s The Late Henry Moss, Clifford Odets' Awake and Sing, Ingmar Bergman’s Through A Glass Darkly, Andrew Bovell's When The Rain Stops Falling, three premieres by Neil LaBute, most recently Reasons To Be Pretty and his current success, Eduardo de Filippo's Filumena. His Shakespeares include a very memorable Measure for Measure and later this year he directs King Lear.”
Michael Attenborough said: “"I am honoured and flattered to be given this prestigious award from such a distinguished and hugely respected organisation, particularly when previous winners have included directors such as Peter Brook and Michael Grandage and the panel contains many admired theatre practitioners."
Michael Attenborough’s productions as Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre have been The Mercy Seat, Five Gold Rings, Brighton Rock, The Late Henry Moss, Enemies, There Came A Gypsy Riding, Big White Fog, Awake and Sing!, The Homecoming, In a Dark Dark House, When the Rain Stops Falling, Measure for Measure, Through A Glass Darkly, The Knot of the Heart, Reasons To Be Pretty and, most recently, Filumena. Previously, Attenborough was Associate Director at Mercury Theatre, Colchester (1972-74), Leeds Playhouse (1974-79), Young Vic (1979-80); and Artistic Director at Palace Theatre, Watford (1980-84) and Hampstead Theatre (1984-89); and was Principal Associate Director for the Royal Shakespeare Company (1990-2002). On leaving the Royal Shakespeare Company he became an Honorary Associate Artist. Attenborough’s freelance work includes productions at the National Theatre, the Royal Court, in the West End and on Broadway. This year Michael Attenborough celebrates ten years as Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre. His production of King Lear, with Jonathan Pryce playing the title role, will preview at the Almeida from 31 August.
Attenborough is also the recipient of two Honorary Doctorates and is Honorary Professor of English at the University of Sussex.
The International Theatre Institute is a worldwide network, which aims to promote international exchange of knowledge and practice in theatre arts.
[posted 17/04/2012]
MICHAEL ATTENBOROUGH PRESENTED WITH AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN INTERNATIONAL THEATRE
Posted on | By London Theatre Direct
Michael Attenborough, Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre will be presented with the Award for Excellence In International Theatre at a luncheon held today, 17 April 2012, at the Travellers Club, London. Neville Shulman, Director of the British Centre of the International Theatre Institute, will present Attenborough with the Award.