Mushy: Lyrically Speaking, an uplifting tale of a pupil finding his voice was named the Best Stage Production at the eighth annual Asian Media Awards.
Due to the Covid-19 and government restrictions winners to a select number of awards in journalism, radio and stage were announced digitally on Thursday 19 November.
In a year when large sections of the live events industry have been threatened with closure the AMA’s honoured some of the productions which lit up stages across the country.
The finalist in 2020 were a mix of music, drama and comedy.
Announcing the winner was broadcaster and journalist Nihal.
Mushy: Lyrically Speaking follows the real-life story of Mushy, a young man from Dewsbury, Yorkshire and how he overcame his stammer through music with the help of teacher Mr Burton.
Not only did it present the challenges of stammering, but went further to challenge the ‘outcasting‘ of women, the perceptions of disability in the Asian community and the wider ‘white saviour’ narrative in the student / teacher relationship.
Pravesh Kumar, Artistic Director & CEO at Rifco Arts said, “I am truly delighted that Mushy: Lyrically Speaking has won the Best Stage Production Award at the Asian Media Awards.”
“Thank you to the Asian Media Awards for recognising the importance of sharing stories like Mushy and thank you to everyone across the UK who came to see the show.
“Bringing Musharaf Asghar’s remarkable journey to the stage was incredibly rewarding, and we’d like to thank the talented creative team and cast, which included debuts from Director Ameet Chana, Lyricist Raxstar and Varun Raj’s first major stage lead role.
“It’s been a challenging year for our industry, for freelance creatives and for our communities, however, Rifco is committed to continue giving real opportunities to British South Asian artists and we are proud of opening doors to talent of the future. Rifco will return to theatres very soon to celebrate our 21st birthday in 2021 with a bang!”
Mushy: Lyrically Speaking was a Rifco Theatre Company/Watford Palace Theatre production.
Director: Ameet Chana; Creatives Writer: Pravesh Kumar; Lyricist: Raxstar; Designer: Eleanor Bull; Lighting Designer: Robbie Butler; Composer: Niraj Chag; Sound Designer: Chris Murray; Movement Director: Kate Webster; Vocal Coach; Lottie Williams-Burrell; Dramaturg: Nic Wass.
Featuring Varun Raj; Medhavi Patel; Oliver Longstaff.
This year’s Asian Media Awards ceremony took place digitally on Thursday 19 November.
Previous recipients of an Asian Media Award include Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Waris Hussein, Art Malik, Mehdi Hasan, Nina Wadia, Anita Rani, Shobna Gulati & Faisal Islam.
The University of Salford are premier sponsors and partners to the awards include ITV, MediaCom, Reach PLC, M.E.N, & Press Association Training.
The awards are also supported by Manchester Metropolitan University, Routes Into Languages North West, AMT Lawyers, DKR Accountants, 6G Internet, Hilton Manchester Deansgate, Supreme Dream Events, Payal Events & Cleartwo.
