Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award Winner 2025: Cheek by Jowl
Established in 1990, the Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award honours individuals who have greatly enhanced society’s understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of William Shakespeare’s work. Previous recipients include Sir Kenneth Branagh and Sir Patrick Stewart.
This year, Pragnell is thrilled to announce that the winners of the Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award are Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod, the visionary founders of Cheek by Jowl.
Every year, the award recipient is selected by a committee comprised of representatives from The Shakespeare Institute, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Visionary Founders
Cheek by Jowl is an international theatre company founded by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod in 1981. The company produces and performs theatre in multiple languages around the world.
For over 40 years, Cheek by Jowl has reimagined Shakespeare's works for audiences globally. Their legacy includes iconic productions such as "The School for Scandal" and "King Lear."
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Award Winners
Professor Michael Dobson conducted the formal presentation of the award during The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Reception, held at Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall as part of the weekend's celebrations.
In keeping with tradition, the event featured four toasts:
1. The Immortal Memory of William Shakepeare: delivered by Dame Harriet Walter DBE (Pragnell Award winner in 2007)
2. Shakespeare and the Theatre: presented by the recipients of the 2025 Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award
3. William Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon: a new toast given by Professor Michael Wood OBE
4. The Worldwide Appreciation of Shakespeare: delivered by Ken Ludwig, the American playwright.
Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award Roll of Honour
1990 Dame Peggy Ashcroft
1991 Terry Hands
1992 Professor Muriel Bradbrook
1993 Peter Brook
1994 Barbara Jefford
1995 Tanya Moiseiwitsch
1996 Sir Ian McKellen
In 1997 the Award took the form of a tribute to the Flower family
1998 Sir Peter Hall
1999 Paul Scofield
2000 Dame Judi Dench
2001 John Barton
2002 The Folger Shakespeare Library
2003 Professor Stanley Wells
2004 Cicely Berry
2005 Corin Redgrave
2006 Sir Donald Sinden
2007 Harriet Walter
2008 Michael Boyd
2009 Michael Billington
2010 Barrie Rutter
2011 Patrick Stewart
2012 Dame Janet Suzman
2013 Simon Russell Beale
2014 Nicholas Hytner
2015 Sir Kenneth Branagh
2016 Sir Trevor Nunn
2017 Sir Antony Sher
2018 Jane Lapotaire
2019 Professor Jerzy Limon
2020 Juliet Stevenson CBE
2021 Dr John Kani
2022 Adrian Lester CBE
2023 Gregory Doran
2024 Dame Vanessa Redgrave
2025 Cheek by Jowl
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