Theatre Centre, with Theatre503, have fought off another 120 nominations to claim the National Showcase Organisation for London for the 2020 Achates Philanthropy Prize.

The award looks at the role of the cultural sector during the Covid-19 pandemic and celebrates how UK organisations have responded to the challenges faced, despite being under threat.

Theatre Centre and Theatre503 commissioned 19 playwrights to write a series of short pieces during the pandemic for their ImagiNation project, including Jon Brittain, Nessah Muthy, Amy Ng and Roy Williams OBE. This culminated in a festival broadcasting a digital patchwork of the recorded submissions to share a multitude of voices.

Artistic Director of Theatre Centre, Rob Watt, said: “This prize is testament to everyone who  took part in the project in such challenging times, from the 500+ people from across the UK who submitted films, the 19 writers who wrote such brilliant stories, many freelancers and the team  from Theatre503 and Theatre Centre. We are delighted that ImagiNation has been awarded the  Achates Philanthropy 2020 prize with seven other awesome and important projects from across  the nation.”

Theatre503’s Artistic Director, Lisa Spirling, adds: “For Theatre503, getting the chance to  work with Theatre Centre on the ImagiNation project was a much needed light in a dark time. It  gave brilliant writers work, brought together friends, families and peers in a creative adventure.  This recognition is the icing on the cake.”

For more information on their work, please click here.