Celebrating the Wyllie Longmore Award: Three Years, Three Artists

The Award honours Wyllie Longmore (1940 to 2023), the Jamaican-born actor, director and teacher who was a much-loved figure in Manchester theatre for decades. Wyllie co-founded the Arden School of Theatre and was its Head of Acting. He won two Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards, and his stage work included the Royal Exchange and Bolton Octagon. On screen he was known to many as Dr McKinnon in Coronation Street. He also served on the boards of the Royal Exchange and HOME, and gave generously of his time to help new talent find its way.

Each year the Award gives one early-career theatre artist from Greater Manchester a fully funded, year-long programme shaped around their own goals. It’s delivered with HOME, Factory International, the Royal Exchange Theatre and Contact, and is aimed at artists who face barriers to the opportunities and networks the sector offers. 

Our first three recipients are Lekhani Chirwa, Sara Abanur and Maz Hedgehog. This evening is a chance to celebrate them, hear about their journeys, and find out how to apply or nominate for the next round. 

Come along to meet artists, partners and people from across Greater Manchester’s theatre community, and make new connections.