M6 Theatre Company wins Off West End Theatre Award

M6’s Artistic Director, Gilly Baskeyfield celebrates the Offies win

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M6 Theatre Company received an award naming their show Whatever The Weather (in association with Polka Theatre) as 'Best Production for Young People Aged 0-7' at the Off West End Theatre Awards 2016, also known as ‘The Offies’.

The London-based ceremony followed the announcement of winners by Sir Ian McKellen, to coincide with The Oscars.

The M6 team travelled from Rochdale to London to collect the award that recognises and celebrates the excellence, innovation and ingenuity of independent theatres across London.

Whatever The Weather is an original production created by M6’s in-house team, written and directed by Artistic Director Gilly Baskeyfield with a stunning set design by Joss Matzen.

The colourful show, for children aged three+, is set in a giant alpine-themed weather house and takes the audience on a fun yet reflective emotional journey. With minimal dialogue and an original musical score written by Jon Nichols, the characters of Mr Rain (Carl Cockram) and Mrs Sunshine (Simone Lewis) become caught in the winds of change and learn important lessons about themselves and each other as the story unfolds.

With lighting and video by Adam Carree and voiceover by Caroline Kennedy, the show completed a pilot tour around Rochdale primary schools during October 2014 and went on to tour theatres and community venues across England, Scotland and Wales from February to April 2015.

BAFTA nominated actress, Sue Johnston MBE is M6’s patron and founder. Having appeared in many Company productions during 1970s and 1980s, Sue most recently performed the voice-over for M6’s 2016 show Tadpoles.

Commenting on M6’s win she said: “Winning this award is a wonderful achievement for the Company.

"What I have always loved about M6’s work is that it opens children’s eyes to a different world in their imaginations. They go on a journey in their minds, through an experience where they learn, look and question, have emotions and express themselves. Theatre will always feed into children’s imaginations - awake their little souls and let them fly.”

M6's Artistic Director, Gilly Baskeyfield said: "This award really supports our philosophy that if we get it right for the children of Rochdale, we get it right for children all over the country.

"It was a pleasure to work with Jo Belloli from Polka on the show, we couldn't be more proud of the concerted team effort, front stage, back stage and organisationally. "

Debs Palmer, M6's Managing Director and CEO, commented: "The venue partnership with the lovely team at Polka Theatre in Wimbledon has been key to achieving recognition. We hope this award will help raise awareness of M6's work and support the future tour of the show planned for 2017.

"Congratulations to the team, what a great result.”

M6 are now busy preparing for an Autumn/Winter national tour of the critically acclaimed production Mavis Sparkle, returning to the stage by popular demand from October 2016 to February 2017. This life-affirming show is another original M6 piece created for children aged four+ and their families, having previously toured to sell out audiences both nationally and internationally.