Wednesday the 23rd
Information and Guide to Anglo-Irish writer Samuel Beckett created and maintained in Dublin, Ireland

HISTORY


In Spring, 1967, Francis Warner, Fellow and Tutor in English Literature, St Peter's College, Oxford conceived the idea of establishing a theatre in Oxford which would provide a platform for the work of writers, musicians, artists, performers and directors of the avant-garde and the staple diet would be new and experimental work.

In early Summer 1967, Francis Warner asked Samuel Beckett if such a theatre could be named after him to which he agreed.

Later in 1967, the Governing Body of St Peter's College agreed to support the project. Other supporters were Edmund Blunden, Benjamin Britten, Richard Burton, Sir Maurice Bowra, Nevill Coghill, Christopher Fry, Graham Greene, Rt Hon. Edward Heath, Harold Hobson, Henry Moore, John Osborne, Harold Pinter, John Piper, Kathleen Raine, Jon Stallworthy, Peter Ustinov and Arnold Wesker.

In 1976, St Peter's College passed the management of the theatre project and the accumulated assets to a charitable trust specifically set up for this purpose.

The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award was first launched in 2003.

The award is a welcome and important development - Nicholas Hytner, National Theatre

THE TRUST


The purpose of the Trust is, in general, for the advancement of education, but, in particular, to establish an experimental theatre and/or trust for experimental theatre dedicated to encouraging new generations of creative artists, whether dramatists, dancers, musicians, painters, sculptors or poets.

From the outset, the Trust has had a specific interest in aiding artists of the avant-garde who often have to wait many years before they are taken up by the commercial theatre. Through this award, the Trust is looking to help an artist, or a group, of high calibre, realize a fully resourced professional production. It is looking to assist artists that hitherto may not have had this opportunity. The aim is to support work of quality and promise. Commercial success and public appeal are not primary considerations.

The Trust is a Registered Charity, number 273400

The award is a brilliant initiative to encourage imagination and risk taking by a new generation of theatre practitioners - Graham Whybrow, Royal Court

THE OXFORD SAMUEL BECKETT THEATRE TRUST AWARD 2006

THE AWARD

The purpose of the award is, in particular, to help the development of emerging practitioners in the field of experimental theatre and, in general, to encourage the new generation of creative artists. Support is aimed at assisting artists in the transition from fringe to studio spaces. A grant of up to 30,000 and a three week run at The Riverside Studios (Studio 3) in November 2006 will be awarded to an individual or company for a production of their choice. Bold, innovative and challenging projects will be favoured.

Further support will be provided in the following areas:

· A mentor will be attached to the project.

· A further grant of up to 5,000 is available for a Research and
Development period, resulting in 2 showings to an invited audience at Riverside Studios in May/June.

The successful applicant will have guidance and support from Riverside Studios. This will primarily be in the following areas; financial management, contracting, press and publicity, assisting in the long term strategic development of their work, identifying potential colleagues both artistic and technical, advising on technical aspects of the production.

· One week of technical rehearsals in Studio 3 will be provided before
the three week run.

The award can not be supplemented by grants from other institutions, funding bodies or any other form of significant subsidy or sponsorship.