OffWestEnd, London’s independent theatre platform and awards body championing independent theatre in Greater London and beyond, has today (evening of 20th Jan 2026) marked its 20th anniversary with a birthday event celebrating two decades of supporting non-West End theatre – alongside exciting new plans as the organisation evolves into OffWestEnd 2.0 – starting with the beta launch of a redesigned website and digital resource to evolve the organisation’s support for independent theatre-makers in the years ahead.

The anniversary event, held at founding member venue Stratford East, brought together theatre-makers, venue leaders, producers and industry supporters to reflect on OffWestEnd’s impact since its founding in 2006, and to look ahead to the organisation’s next phase of development.

Continue reading

“I want OffWestEnd to be not just a pat on the back but a hand to cling onto“

Incoming OffWestEnd director Denholm Spurr dedicates his tenure to transforming opportunities in the sector

OffWestEnd announced its successor at a glittering award ceremony at the Woolwich Works on Sunday 25 February.

Denholm Spurr has been involved with OffWestEnd and The Offies for 12 years, originally serving as an assessor in 2012, before going on to produce both live and cyber ceremonies for the brand.

He’ll be taking over from Geoffrey Brown who recently announced he’ll be stepping down as Director from July this year.

In a speech at the end of the ceremony, Spurr celebrated the outgoing director,’s “tremendous tenure” and named Brown as “a mentor, a friend, and a constant inspiration”.

Continue reading