Throughout VAULT Festival, we’ll be sharing nominations for our Festival Awards, which recognise exceptional shows and the outstanding contributions of our artists each and every festival. We’ve been presenting and developing the awards since 2015, and they’re assessed by an independent panel of judges. Hear from our Head of Programming, Bec Martin about the nominees for week two:

“We have barrelled into week 2 with some of the most exciting, risk-taking, form-breaking theatre I’ve ever had the privilege to see. From one audience member, site-specific activations, to large-scale immersive shows, from some of the best up and coming stand up comedians to incredible cabaret and drag performances. I saw intimate scripted shows, sketch comedy, devised movement pieces, magic and viking wrestling. I am continually blown away by the work and the artists making it.

Week 2 also saw our drama school partners, East 15 and Fourth Monkey, take over the Studio with an array of brilliant shows from the next generation of theatre makers – the future of the industry is in wonderful hands (I am swiftly going to run out of adjectives in these updates!).

VAULT Festival Awards recognise exceptional shows and the outstanding contributions of our artists each and every festival. Week 2 saw VAULT Festival welcome 70 new shows. Once again each one of these deserves so many plaudits. Today we are celebrating those shows that have displayed singular artistic flair, changed audiences, innovated, moved and pushed boundaries.”

Here are the nominees for Week 2!

SHOW OF THE WEEK

Awarded to exceptional productions from the Theatre & Performance programme.

Love In – Amanda Grace

Siapa Yang Bawa Melayu Aku Pergi? ( Who Took My Malay Away?) – Faizal Abdullah

A Manchester Anthem – Lyle Productions and ramblemill

The Ballerina – Khaos

ORIGINS AWARD

Awarded for outstanding new work from the Theatre & Performance programme. Shows must have not been performed more than twice prior to their run at VAULT Festival to be eligible.

Scratches – Plain Heroines

Gay Witch Sex Cult – Andrew Doherty

Walking Cats – Zhaolin Zhou

BUFF – Scott Le Crass and Ben Fensome