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A huge congratulations to Henry Blackburn who is this year's recipient of the Buzz Goodbody Director Award. Henry brought his wonderful production of original musical 'Nowhere' to NSDF this year, story and writing by company: Corrin Benham, Catherine Brabin, Archie Verhoest and Henry Blackburn.
The performance radiated with humour and style, underpinned by a strong, assured sense of direction that guided every moment with confidence and flair. We are thrilled to be able to award Henry with a £1,000 grant to be used to develop his practice, knowledge, experience and appreciation of theatre and drama, and he will be offered ongoing mentorship from NSDF.
NSDF is ever grateful to Director Mark Hawes and all at the Royal theatrical Support Trust (RTST) for their kind and vital support of NSDF and the young artists we work with.
The Grant memorialises Mary Ann – nick-named "Buzz" – Goodbody. Buzz was the celebrated first female director of the RSC and the driving force behind the establishment of its studio theatre, The Other Place at Stratford-upon-Avon, in the early 1970s, which later spawned the Warehouse in London: aka the Donmar today. Buzz died tragically in 1975, aged 28.