Braham Murray dies: Tributes paid to Royal Exchange Theatre co-founder

He was the longest-serving artistic director of the theatre working at the forefront of the company for 36 years

Tributes have been paid to the co-founder of the Royal Exchange Theatre who has died aged 75.

Braham Murray was the longest-serving artistic director of the theatre working at the forefront of the company for 36 years since the theatre in-the-round opened in 1976.

He directed 65 productions at the iconic venue and was awarded an OBE in 2010 for services to drama.

Sarah Frankcom, artistic director, led the tributes to Mr Murray and said: “We are incredibly saddened to hear that Braham has passed away, and our love and thoughts are with his family.

“He was an artistic director of inestimable talent and ideas, and the Royal Exchange Theatre is built on the foundations of his tenacity, creativity and vision.

“We simply wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him and the other founding artistic directors and Manchester’s cultural and social landscape would’ve been the poorer for it.

“We owe him a huge debt of gratitude, and will forever carry him in our hearts and minds as we continue to make theatre with, and for, Greater Manchester, for generations to come.”

Dozens of actors, directors and other people in the theatre industry have also posted tributes to Mr Murray on social media sites.

Lawrence Till tweeted: “He was a strong man and a director with vision and enormous ambition.

“The Royal Exchange Theatre has his sweat in its steal, glas and bricks. RIP Braham and thank you.”

Tammy Heath wrote: “I had the pleasure of working with him on Loot back in 2001. Lovely chap very kind. Thoughts sent to his family.”

Mr Murray first made his name in the theatre industry following the successful revue Hang Your Head, which he wrote and directed.

The production was first performed in Oxford and went onto the West End then Broadway.

Following his success Mr Murray became the youngest artistic director of the country and took over the Century Theatre aged just 22-years-old.

In 1968 he went on to become a key figure in the creation of the 69 Theatre Company, which ultimately became the Royal Exchange Theatre Company.

Over four decades his work at the Royal Exchange included classics, musicals and full scale operas staring the likes of Sir Tom Courtenay, Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench.

Some of his theatre credits include She Stoops to Conquer, Charley’s Aunt, Uncle Vanya, Lady Windermere’s Fan, Miss Julie, Haunted, Skellig and Waiting for Godot.

Mr Murray stepped down from his role in 2012 and his final work was to direct the Lord Bernstein musical Wonderful Town.

He also was the author of autobiography The Worst It Can Be is a Disaster and How to Direct.