Paul Smith and Matthew May receive Olwen Wymark Awards

Middle Child artistic director, Paul Smith, and literary manager, Matthew May, have today been recognised for their “exceptional encouragement of theatre writing” with an Olwen Wymark Award.

The awards are handed out every year by the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB), with the winners nominated by WGGB members.

Sid Sagar nominated both Paul and Matthew for their support on his upcoming play, Biting Point, which Middle Child will produce next year.

Sid said: “As a new playwright in an uncertain world, working with Paul and Matthew is a dream.

“Their talent, drive and kindness has given me the confidence to make work that is both entertaining and empowering.”

Biting Point is a story that asks big questions about race, class and privilege, which will premiere in a car park in Hull in the spring.

Sid’s play is about the people in our community and how the constant pressure we’re all under can shape us into people we don’t want to be.

A white man in blue t-shirt leaning against a wall

Matthew said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won an Olwen Wymark Award.

“Middle Child have worked with some incredible writers this year, who consistently show their skill, passion and ability to view the world in new and revealing ways.

“In what is a tough time for new writing it is a privilege to be able to offer our support.

“In particular it’s lovely to have been nominated by Sid, whose show Biting Point is a testament to the power of contemporary work. On top of that he’s also a lovely human.”

The Olwen Wymark Awards are the brainchild of playwrights Mark Ravenhill and David James.

They were set up to give WGGB members the opportunity to publicly thank individuals, rather than institutions, who have given them exceptional encouragement in theatre writing during the past year.

They are named in honour of playwright Olwen Wymark, passionate supporter of WGGB and former chair of the WGGB Theatre Committee, who died in 2013.

Paul previously won an Olwen Wymark Award in 2021, following a nomination by Luke Barnes.

Paul said: “I’m so proud to receive the Olwen Wymark Award for a second time, and am delighted Sid chose to nominate us as a result of our work together.

“Working with brilliant writers and supporting them to tell their stories really is the best part of my job.

“It’s so important we continue supporting new voices, making sure radical new writing has a home.

“I can’t wait to bring Sid’s play Biting Point to life and to continue our fruitful partnership.”

More information about Biting Point will be announced in February.

The seven writers commissioned for Fresh Ink: Hull Playwriting Festival 2025 will also be revealed in January.