Tina’s Trophy for Excellence in Theatre 2021
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This prestigious award was created two years ago to celebrate Excellence in Theatre. The crystal vase, named in memory of Artistic Director Ann Ellison’s inspirational mother, is awarded annually to a member of Next Stage who has gone above and beyond: excelling onstage, backstage, around the theatre, or all three. Previous recipients have been Brian Howe (2019) and Caroline Groom (2020).
We are delighted to announce that, for 2021, Tina’s Trophy has been awarded to another outstanding recipient: Richard Matthews.
Realisation dawns on Richard as he realises he is going to be awarded Tina’s Trophy.
Richard has been part of Next Stage since 2006, playing outstanding roles in at least three shows every year since he joined. Richard is a charismatic and accomplished leading man, but is also humble and modest enough to take on smaller roles when required. Looking back over nearly 40 of Richard’s productions with Next Stage some of his most memorable performances have been in:
Humble Boy
His Dark Materials Parts 1 and 2
Festen
Orpheus Descending
Torch Song Trilogy
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
The Real Thing
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
The Winslow Boy
A Voyage Round my Father
Our Country’s Good
The Recruiting Officer
Norman Conquests
Sweet Bird of Youth
The Judas Kiss
Birdsong
Look Back in Anger
Richard is not only one of Next Stage’s leading performers, but he also helps the company and The Mission Theatre in a multitude of other ways behind the scenes.
Artistic Director Ann Ellison BEM says:
”It is always a delight to work with Richard. Like many outstanding actors he is quiet and self-effacing, but he has that amazing natural ability of all great actors to take on a role and “become” the character he is playing. Every one of Richard’s performances is authentic and totally believable. From Norman to Ralph Clark, Jimmy Porter to Oscar Wilde, from Brick to Chance Wayne; Jack Firebrace to Mike and many, many more, Richard has delighted Next Stage audiences for 15 years with his portrayal of some of the most memorable characters in recent theatrical writing.
Working with Richard is a joy as he does not need “directing”. Over the rehearsal process Richard finds the character and gradually goes deeper and deeper in to his new persona. I have directed many of the plays he has been in and find it best to let Richard, in his own time and pace, slip gently in to his role - I learn from him!
Behind the scenes Richard is always the first to volunteer to help with the myriad backstage jobs that always need doing on any show, he is one of our most reliable Front of House volunteers and is an excellent ambassador for the company. Generous and undemanding on stage his fellow actors love being cast with such a sympathetic and talented performer.
Congratulations, Richard, on your award, everyone in Next Stage applauds you and hails you as a worthy recipient of Tina’s Trophy.”
