Glasgow graduate John Tiffany has won one of theatre’s greatest awards.

He has been named Best Director at the Olivier Awards for his production of Black Watch at the Barbican Theatre in London.

Black Watch also won the gongs for Best New Play, Best Sound and Best Choreographer.

The Laurence Olivier Awards are regarded as the most prestigious awards in British theatre, and are presented in recognition of artistic achievement in London theatre.

Black Watch won all four categories for which it had been nominated. It appeared at the Barbican last summer after a hugely successful nationwide tour.

Previous winners of the Olivier Award for Best Director include Sam Mendes, Trevor Nunn and Jonathan Miller.

John, who graduated from the University of Glasgow with an MA in 1994, was named the University’s Young Alumni of the Year at the end of 2008. He shared the award with round-the-world-cyclist Mark Beaumont.

He is currently Associate Director (New Work) of the National Theatre of Scotland.

Professor Sir Kenneth Calman, who presented John with his Alumni of the Year trophy, said: “This is a wonderful success for John Tiffany.

“Everyone at the University of Glasgow is very proud of his all of his achievements and this Olivier Award really is something special.

“His accomplishments in the theatre are truly remarkable and we wish him every success for the future. There is little doubt that John is an incredible talent and we will be hearing much from this remarkable young man in the years to come.”

For more information contact Ray McHugh in the University of Glasgow Media Relations Office on 0141 330 3535 or email r.mchugh@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 9 March 2009

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