The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust

Promoting innovation in theatre

The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award 2015

The winner:

Nigel Barrett and Louise Mari for "The Body", staged as part of the Barbican 2015 season, 19-29 November.

A theatrical exploration of the body, this intimate performance used pervasive media and a diverse cast of dolls to consider what it is to be alive and human.

Two charismatic performers, live sound and video design animate a series of compelling, communal interactions. The experience begins when audience members, seated in a small group, have all attached heart-rate monitors.

Winners of this year’s award, Nigel Barrett and Louise Mari make bold, intriguing work full of visual surprises. Collaborating with technologists, they have created this unusual theatrical event as a "paean to life in all its dark beauty and complexity".

Three Research and Development grants awarded to:

The finalists were: