The Stage

Pryce honoured by IEAM for contribution to theatre

Published Tuesday 23 November 2004 at 13:05 by Ruth Gillespie

Hollywood actor Jonathan Pryce, who recently starred in the Almeida production of The Goat or Who is Sylvia?, has received the Institute of Entertainment and Arts Management’s Waterford Crystal Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the industry.

Presented during the organisation’s annual reunion luncheon, which took place in Wolverhampton, IEAM president Glenys Gill commended the Welsh-born performer for his commitment to the stage, despite his enormous success in films such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Tomorrow Never Dies and Evita. Pryce joins a prestigious list of past winners including Eric Sykes, Cameron Mackintosh, Judi Dench, Harry Secombe, Norman Wisdom, Ronnie Barker and Roy Castle.

Accepting the accolade Pryce said: “I am very honoured to receive this because it comes from practitioners in the industry who see the hard side of theatrical life. I had the good fortune of going from the stage to film and I am often asked which I prefer. It has to be theatre, where I am my own director, writer and sound engineer.

“I want to thank [the IEAM] as an actor on behalf of my side of the profession for all the struggles you have to go through to keep theatre, not only in London but in the regions as well.”

Established more than 20 years ago the IEAM provides a meeting forum and offers professional training opportunities for people employed within the entertainment and arts profession. In the past it has also been involved in lobbying the government on matters affecting the industry.