Winner of inaugural Nick Bache ABTT Cymru Technician of the Year Award 2023 announced!
21 October 2023
The inaugaral ABTT Cymru Technician of the Year Award, in honour of the late Nick Bache, has been presented at Aberystwyth Arts Centre's on 20th October 2023.
The Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) Cymru Technician of the Year Award was presented in memory of Aberystwyth Arts Centre’s technical manager Nick Bache who died in April. Nick was Technical
Manager at Aberystwyth Arts Centre for 15 years and was a former co-chair for the ABTT Cymru Committee. The Award recognises the achievement of an individual who consistently delivers technical excellence.
Open to ABTT members and non-members alike, three people were shortlisted for the award. They were Luca Tedaldi from Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Hallam Cleverley from Theatr Colwyn and Matt Jones from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Matt Jones was announced as the winner of the first Nick Bache award for Technician of the Year at an awards ceremony attended by Nick’s family, friends and colleagues at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Friday, 20 October.
Aberystwyth Arts Centre director David Wilson, award winner Matt Jones, and ABTT Cymru Committee co-chairs Rhian Jones and David Evans (Julie McNicholls Vale)
Arts Centre Director David Wilson opened the ceremony, Dyfan Rhys and Jo Wilcox shared their memories of working with Nick before Rhian Elen Jones, who also worked with Nick and has taken on his role as co-chair of ABTT Cymru Committee, presented the award with ABTT Co-chair David Evans from National Theatre Wales.
Winner Matt Jones said “it is an absolute honour to win the award, particularly in the name of Nick who contributed so much to the arts, particularly in the development of young technicians”.
Nick Bache’s parents with award winner Matt Jones (Julie McNicholls Vale)
Speaking on behalf of the family, Nick’s mum Hilary said: “We feel so proud. Nick was quite unassuming and always supported the underdog so it is very appropriate to have an award in his name supporting up-and-coming theatre technicians. Nick loved Aberystwyth and he would have loved this. It’s wonderful to hear what people thought of him.”