Director and actor Denholm Spurr is at the helm for the OFFIES at The Central Hall Westminster on the 17th ofJanuary in what will be a great night for the world of theatre away from the West End. For its 15th anniversary Denholm has a great night planned with performances to entertain the audience and a few surprises lined up to go along with the myriad awards being handed out.
Over the Shoulder grabbed a few minutes with Denholm’s away from his preparations for the biggest night in the off West-End calendar.
Congratulations on your first ceremony as director of the Offies. Where were you when found out about it?
It was quite a long time ago as it’s been in the works since about 2021.
I can’t remember the specifically when I knew it was happening but when it was announced that I was taking over, that was a huge moment, to be honest.
I’ve been involved with the Offies for 14 years in some capacity. It feels the universe has been asking me to do this job for a long time! I feel all the different skill sets I’ve acquired over time have all coalesced around this job.
It’s an exciting moment. I’m hugely nervous, but also excited about putting on my first ceremony.
How important do you think it is for off West End theatre to be recognised and what initiatives can be implemented to spread the word about the wonderful work being done?
Off West End is vital. It’s a crucial part of the wider ecosystem now more than ever. It’s positioned itself as the maternity ward not only for the West End, but across the country too because of the brand-new work it showcases.
Offies productions like Fleabag and Baby Reindeer ended up the BBC and Netflix. It’s really become the grassroot of talent, art and pushing boundaries. It’s so important that we recognize it, and we keep it alive.
How much work goes into preparing for the Offies?
We’re such a unique enterprise because many other Awards have a much less rigorous process than we have. We see 600 productions at 150 venues a year.
That’s just for the Offies main awards. Then we have the Offies Awards for festivals across the UK so there’s no other Awards ceremony as big in scale. Every show we send two assessors to see it and if it gets considered for an award, we get a super assessor in!
Then we have a panel of critics who oversee the decision making at the end. Everyone making that decision has seen the productions. That is unique within the world of theatre criticism in general.
Then the ceremony itself. Three months of intensity where we’re trying to get as much goodwill and as much funding from the upper echelons of the theatre community to give it a real lift. We have this one moment to show the amazing work we do.
Is there any special surprises or performers that you can tell us about?
The amazing Davina De Campo, from RuPaul’s Drag Race will be hosting and she will be performing as well.
Frances Ruffelle who is an Olivier nominee and Tony Winner is nominated this year for the show, Close to Heaven at the Turbine. She’s performing too.
London Gay Men’s Chorus are also joining us for a big sound. There will be some surprises on the night.
I know you are not supposed to say but which production is your favourite?
There are so many amazing shows happening across the country, but sadly I don’t get to see all of them. Many of the assessors get to see many more shows than I do!
However, I would say that, Buy Their Fruits at the Theatre 503 was just stupendous. It was such a fantastic production in all areas. It was low budget, but they elevated every single element.
I hope that it comes back for another run because it really deserves it.
As an actor yourself, out of these theatre productions which one would you want to perform in?
Good question! I guess I’m not an actor anymore, although I’m not saying I never will act again but I made the decision in the pandemic to take a step away. I think it was an issue around the sustainability of the career.
I don’t have mum and dad to rely on to help sustain my acting career. I thought I would struggle to continue acting if I really want to be able to have a life.
I needed a change, fundamentally.
You are a writer, drama teacher and casting director as well as an actor. Which one do you find the most challenging and which the most rewarding?
I haven’t done an awful lot of writing. I’ve done quite a bit of dramaturgical stuff with other writers. Directing and producing was my wheelhouse beyond acting. Directing is by far the one that I would love to do the most although it’s also probably the least accessible as a career choice.
I never really considered it as an avenue that I would be able to successfully go down.
I would love to at some point. There are so many shows that I would have loved to direct. I’m someone that I think has very strong vision on how I would like something to look or the story that I want to tell.
I’ve got important stories to tell because I come from an unusual background, and I’ve had my own experiences that are unique.
Were you taught some of these disciplines at drama school?
I went to University of Exeter and then went to Oxford School of Drama. Both were instrumental in teaching me everything I know about the arts, but they were also incredibly expensive.
Do you see yourself doing more film or theatre in the future?
That’s a good question. In terms of my creative work in the future, now I am concentrating on the Offies, but I do have an interest in film.
I think theatre is a little bit out of the question as it could be conflict of interest with me working for the Offies. I could probably be on a film set and still be working for The Offies, so that isn’t something that I’ve ruled out.
The Offies are lucky to have someone as dedicated as Denholm at the wheel in what will surely be an Award show to remember. Over the Shoulder will be there to offer their support and of course, to enjoy the show.
Can’t wait.