ASGT garners the coveted Ruby Griffith Award for its 2006 production of Urinetown The Musical…

The British Players held their 38th Annual Ruby Griffith Awards Ceremony at Bretton Woods Country Club in Potomac, Maryland on July 15, 2007.

Upon retirement from her professional career -- primarily in the field of theatre education -- Ruby Griffith moved from London to Washington DC.  In 1964, she became a founding member of the British Embassy Players.   As Artistic Director, she produced and/or directed seven of the Players’ first fourteen productions.  Sadly, on the opening night of her production of Old Time Music Hall in1968, she suffered a fatal cerebral hemorrhage.

The British Embassy Players honored her with an annual award competition for All-Round Production Excellence through the Washington Theatre Alliance.  There were 10 entrants the first year.  Later, the competition was extended beyond the Alliance to organizations throughout the greater D.C. metropolitan area.  And in 1991, two additional awards were added, for outstanding achievement in a musical and a non-musical.  This year, approximately half of the 70-plus theatres that are eligible to participate will submit entries.

The 2007 ceremony was a swan song of sorts for Lady Catherine Manning, wife of British Ambassador to the United States Sir David Manning (and noted author of psycho-mystery novels).   At the end of the festive evening, Lady Manning presented the All-Around Production Excellence Award to the Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre for its 2006 production of Urinetown The Musical.   

The Award, made of sterling silver by Garrards of London, depicts the masks of comedy and tragedy below the British Lion.  Designed by an early member of the British Embassy Players, it remains in the hands of the Summer Garden Theatre until the new winner is declared this summer.  We also received a permanent plaque and certificate for our 2006 win – see below!

Left to right:  ASGT President Carolyn Kirby with trophy; ASGT Production Director Nikki Gerbasi; Urinetown Director Ron Giddings with certificate; Emily Karol, ASGT actor and costumer holding the plaque.	Lady Catherine Manning, wife of then British Ambassador Sir David Manning, with Ron Giddings holding the awards after their presentation.