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Denise Gough wins Olivier Awards

We are super excited about ALRA Alumni Denise Gough and Brownyn James’ “Hangmen on their recent Olivier Award wins.

Denise Gough wins Best Actress

We are delighted for ALRA graduate (2003) Denise Gough winning Best Actress at this year’s Olivier Awards.

Denise received an award for Best Actress based on her performance in People, Places and Things and highlighted the “extraordinary” work of performers Noma Dumezweni, Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Sharon D Clarke, all of whom missed out on nominations this year.

Denise Gough has criticised the lack of racial diversity at this year’s Olivier Awards, remarked on the all-white shortlist in her category, calling on the industry to wake up to its responsibility as she accepted the prize for best actress.

Gough said “It’s great that they’re here tonight presenting awards and everything but those three women should have been nominated. Their work should have been recognised. I’m not doing down any of the other women because they are brilliant, but we have a responsibility. I can’t use this [win] simply for self-promotion because that’s a waste of time. I want to feel like I am doing something” .

She added: “These things [awards], whether we like it or not, they do mean something. They are very public. I don’t see my reality in all of those categories. I feel like that needs to change. I’m not saying that if someone’s non-white, give them a nomination, but we need things to change.

Gough was nominated for best actress alongside Gemma Arterton, Nicole Kidman, Janet McTeer and Lia Williams.

Update: the production has been ranked as the number one play of 2016 on London Theatre.

Well deserved, Denise!

Martin McDonagh’s comedy Hangmen, with ALRA Alumna Bronwyn James wins Best New Play

ngman, a new play by London-Irish writer Martin McDonagh, won Best New Play and Set Design.

ALRA Alumna Bronwyn James landed a role in the Royal Court production of Hangmen with other critically acclaimed actors such as Reece Shearsmith, Simon Rouse, John Hodgkinson and Sally Rogers.

The show had received many good reviews, which led it to winning two out of three nominations: Best New Play and Best Set Design.

Martin McDonagh’s comedy, which opened at the Royal Court, won best new play, beating People, Places and Things, The Father and Farinelli and the King.

We’re so delighted for our Alumna to be part of such a great show!