At the age of 26 James Menzies-Kitchin staged his first production. In June 1996, at the age of 28, he died suddenly and unexpectedly. In the intervening year and a half he had established himself as a theatre director of thrilling promise. He was an entrepreneur of unstoppable drive. His clarity of vision, his tenacity of purpose and above all his courage, inspired all those who worked with him.

The JMK Trust commemorates James through its James Menzies-Kitchin Young Director Award (The JMK Award), which encourages others in the same spirit of enterprise, vision and inspiration.

The JMK Trust has been instrumental in talent-spotting and launching the career of some thrilling young directors, and the winners and runners-up over the years that the award scheme has been running make a starry list – Caroline McGinn in Time Out

Arts funding for small scale work has been so whittled away that only those young directors with access to parental bank accounts can find money to pay actors and meet production costs, not to mention a decent venue in which to stage it. This is where the late James Menzies-Kitchin steps in – David Benedict in The Independent

The JMK Award has become an important part of the theatre ecology: providing a unique opportunity for young directors to create a full production supported by the JMK Trust’s expert team. BAC is very proud to host the award by supporting the winning director and their production – David Jubb, Artistic Director, BAC

Ian Ritchie was a charismatic and prolific director of theatre in the West Country who died in 1998. He encouraged and materially supported budding young actors and directors, many of whom now work successfully in the professional theatre. The Ian Ritchie Foundation continues this seminal work and is delighted to extend its support to the JMK for the Runner-Up award in Ian’s name
- Jane Ritchie, The Ian Ritchie Foundation

James directing Eve Best.

Patrons: Dame Judi Dench, Baroness Howe
and Sir Ian McKellen
Trustees: Daisy Drury, Stephen Fewell, Robert Gill (Secretary), David Lewis (Treasurer), Clare Menzies-Kitchin, Tom Morris (Chair), Lucy Popescu, Mark Rosenblatt, Bijan Sheibani and Roxana Silbert
Administrative Director: Ken Christiansen
Registered address: Talton Farm Cottage,
Newbold on Stour, Stratford on Avon,
Warwickshire, CV37 8UB
Registered Charity: No. 295080

James performing with Emily Mortimer.