RANDOM WINNER FOR UK'S ONLY PRIZE FOR STAGE DESIGN

Winner of the Linbury Biennial Prize for Stage Design announced

17 November 2005, London: Patrick Burnier has won the Linbury Biennial Prize for Stage Design 2005, it was announced last night at the National Theatre.

His designs for Origin, a forthcoming production for Random Dance won him the prize, following a UK-wide competition to discover the most exciting young stage design talent.

Stage designer Stefanos Lazaridis presented the prize in front of a 200 strong audience which included Nicholas Hytner, Artistic Director of the National Theatre, Tony Hall, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House, Monica Mason, Director of the Royal Ballet and David Lan, Artistic Director of Young Vic, as well as other VIP guests including Donald Sinden and Wayne Sleep.

Stefanos Lazaridis, said: "Patrick Burnier- a real winner. Thanks to the Linbury prize, new exciting talent is being discovered. The next generation of British theatre designers is in safe hands."

In total four Linbury winners were announced. These were:

The four winners will share around £50,000 in prize money and design commissions. Designs and models by the four winners and the eight finalists can be seen at:

Linbury Biennial Prize for Stage Design Exhibition
Until 10 December 2005
Lyttleton Circle Foyer
National Theatre SE1
Opening Hours: 1000hrs - 2300hrs. Closed Sundays.
Admission free

The Linbury Biennial, founded in 1987 by Anya Sainsbury, is the only prize of its kind in the UK. It gives recently graduated stage designers an unparalleled opportunity to work with professional theatre companies and collaborate with writers, directors and technical teams. The Linbury Biennial has launched the careers of many well-known stage designers. These include Tim Hatley, winner of an Olivier award for Humble Boy and a Tony for Private Lives; Anthony Ward, designer for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Mary Stuart; Vicki Mortimer, designer for Closer and Jumpers at the National Theatre and Adam Wiltshire, whose designs will be used by choreographer Alastair Marriott on the main stage at the Royal Opera House from 28 November.

END

Exhibition Details
Linbury Biennial Prize for Stage Design Exhibition
12 November - 10 December 2005
Lyttleton Circle Foyer
National Theatre SE1
Opening Hours: 1000hrs - 2300hrs
Press Preview: Wednesday 16 November 1700hrs - 1900hrs. To attend the press preview please contact: Anna Cusden anna.cusden@kallaway.co.uk
020 7221 7883

Further Information

A dedicated online media resource supports the 2005 Linbury Biennial Prize for Stage Design. It contains full information about the Linbury Biennial and the competition. All press releases are made available on the site along with high-resolution pictures for download. View the site at: www.kallaway.co.uk/linbury.htm

High-resolution Pictures

Pictures of the selection day, the 12 finalists and the four artistic directors are available on our website. Set designs and commissioning company productions from the 2003 Linbury Biennial Prize for Stage Design can also be downloaded for your use. View and download images: www.kallaway.co.uk/linbury_picture_library.htm

Linbury Biennial Press And Competition Information

Anna Cusden (media) anna.cusden@kallaway.co.uk 020 7221 7883
David Nagle (competition) david.nagle@kallaway.co.uk 020 7221 7883

Notes To Editors

The Linbury Biennial Prize for Stage Design was founded by Anya Sainsbury in 1987. The prize is open to recent graduates from theatre design courses across the country, many of whom are originally from outside the UK. Twelve finalists get the chance to work with four professional performing arts production companies and exhibit their work at the National Theatre. Four of the 12 win a commission to realise their designs with the commissioning companies and one student is awarded the overall winner's title. The Linbury Biennial Prize for Stage Design is sponsored by the Linbury Trust, one of the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trusts.

Lady Anya Sainsbury CBE, Chair of the Linbury Biennial Committee.
After a distinguished career as Anya Linden with the Royal Ballet Company from 1951 to 1965, becoming a ballerina in 1958, she retired from the company and went on to study stage design at the Slade School of Art. She married John Sainsbury in 1963 and has continued to be actively involved in the Royal Ballet School and the Rambert School, both as a teacher and on their governing bodies.

About the Linbury Trust
The Linbury Trust is a charitable trust; it was established by Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover KG, and his wife Anya, Lady Sainsbury, CBE. The trustees of the Linbury Trust make grants to organisations and towards causes across a broad range of categories, including the Arts and Art Education, Social Welfare, Drug Abuse, Education, Environment and Heritage, Older People, Medical, and Developing Countries. Trustees give priority to causes in which they have a particular interest and where they have particular knowledge and experience, as exemplified by their support for the Linbury Biennial Prize for Stage Design.