Winner 2005
Natalie Abrahami
Production: Play and Not I by Samuel Beckett
Natalie is joint Artistic Director of the Gate Theatre. Her work as a freelance theatre director includes Alexandra Wood’s The Eleventh Capital (Royal Court) and Amélie Nothomb’s Human Rites (Southwark Playhouse).
The JMK Award gave me a tremendous opportunity to direct two Beckett plays which I loved, and would never have been able to afford to stage otherwise: being too short, too technical, and too expensive. The Award is extraordinary because its unique existence fulfils every young director’s wish: to choose a play and then receive the financial support to stage it. It was an amazing privilege to have this wish fulfilled - Natalie Abrahami
Theatrically terrific – the language has such mesmerising vigour and the imaginative power of the plays knocks you out – Jeremy Kingston in The Times
If Natalie Abrahami had any migraines about this taut double bill, it doesn’t show on her stage. Both are an unflagging assault on the senses, a visceral, witty and highly enjoyable bubble of Beckett at his sly cackling best – Lucy Powell in Time Out
Natalie Abrahami, winner of this year’s James Menzies-Kitchin Award, has already proved herself a director of exceptional flair. Watching this Beckett is like falling backwards into hell, hearing cries
- Lyn Gardner in The Guardian
In 2005 our weekend workshop at BAC was led by Roxana Silbert, Artistic Director of Paines Plough and JMK Trustee. The shortlisted directors included Polly Findlay, Carrie Cracknell, Sam Leifer, Charlotte Westenra, James Tovell, Mel Cook and Sarah Norman.
