Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting Hires Riot Communications

Riot Communications has been appointed by property company Bruntwood, a major supporter of the arts and partner of the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, and world-class producer, the Royal Exchange Theatre, to help with the strategic positioning and promotion of Europe’s richest prize for playwriting.  

Launched by the two organisations in 2005, the Prize is open to writers of any background or experience and judged anonymously in order to discover new voices and stories for the stage. Through the expertise of the Manchester-based Royal Exchange Theatre, the Prize also champions new playwrights to help develop their craft. Its judging panel is chaired this year by Kwame Kwei-Armah, Artistic Director of the Young Vic. 

Riot Communications MD Preena Gadher said: “What most impresses me about the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting is not the reputation it has for consistently finding high-quality plays – which is, in itself, a skill – but the genuine commitment of both Bruntwood and the Royal Exchange Theatre to finding and nurturing brand-new voices and stories. This is something we value at Riot, and when client and agency values align, that’s when you can create truly excellent work.” 

Sally Hill, Social Impact Partnerships Director at Bruntwood said: “The Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting is one of a number of partnerships we have with ambitious cultural organisations like the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, since we passionately believe that investment in Arts and Culture is a way to help cities thrive. 

“We were really impressed by the approach Riot took to meeting our brief: they really interrogated what we are trying to achieve with the Prize which demonstrated their intelligence, as well as their passion for our mission to help discover new stories.” 

-ENDS- 

For more information please contact Katy MacMillan-Scott on: katy@riotcommunications.com / 020 3174 0118 

Notes to editors 

Riot Communications is a PR agency specialising in culture and entertainment. Driven by the belief that culture promotes empathy, creativity, respect for others and joy, the agency works with clients across publishing, TV, theatre, science, museums and heritage organisations, as well as a variety of entertainment brands.   

Bruntwood develop, own, let and manage outstanding buildings and science facilities across the UK but it is much more than a property company. The company has been investing in its communities for over forty years and is deeply connected to the cities it operates in.  As part of this commitment Bruntwood partner with ambitious cultural organisations that are looking to make an impact, tell the stories of our time, and inspire change. That’s why we’re proud to support the Royal Exchange Theatre and the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting.  Fundamentally what we believe is that cities aren’t structures, cities are people, and we look forward to the stories they can tell us.  

Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre Company transforms the way people see theatre, each other and the world around them. The historic building, once the world’s biggest cotton exchange, was taken over by artists in 1976. Today it is an award-winning cultural charity that produces new theatre in-the-round, in communities, on the road and online.