Denholm Spurr to take over as Director of OffWestEnd and The Offies

Actor/Producer Denholm Spurr named as new OffWestEnd Director

“I want OffWestEnd to be not just a pat on the back but a hand to cling onto“

Incoming OffWestEnd director Denholm Spurr dedicates his tenure to transforming opportunities in the sector

OffWestEnd announced its successor at a glittering award ceremony at the Woolwich Works on Sunday 25 February.

Denholm Spurr has been involved with OffWestEnd and The Offies for 12 years, originally serving as an assessor in 2012, before going on to produce both live and cyber ceremonies for the brand.

He’ll be taking over from Geoffrey Brown who recently announced he’ll be stepping down as Director from July this year.

In a speech at the end of the ceremony, Spurr celebrated the outgoing director,’s “tremendous tenure” and named Brown as “a mentor, a friend, and a constant inspiration”.

Spurr also used his speech to outline his “unreservedly radical” mission statement as he becomes the youngest ever Director of the organisation, which was established in 2005 and founded the OffWestEnd Awards (The Offies) in 2010. He also paid tribute to OffWestEnd founded Sofie Mason & Diana Jervis-Reed who “unified” the sector through the organisation.

In his speech, Spurr candidly outlined the struggles he has faced as an artist and theatremaker in London — including experiencing homelessness and turning to “unconventional means” to sustain his creative career:

“That’s precisely why I’m taking on this role. I want to serve the community that has brought me so much joy despite the struggles. My tenure as Director of The Offies will be unreservedly radical, marked by a fearlessness in advocating for our community – for practitioners, for venues facing funding and lease dramas, and for producers investing in big ideas. I want to be a supporter of, a voice for and a collaborator with our community.”

He issued an open invitation to all UK creatives to get in touch to share their vision of how OffWestEnd can better help support the industry.

He concluded by congratulating this years winners and finalists, a full list of which can be found here

You can read his speech in it’s entirety here

Interview Requests: denholm@theatresoff.com

DENHOLM SPURR

Twitter/X: @denholmspurr

Instagram: @denholmspurr

Facebook: @denholmspurr

Biography

Denholm received a 1st in Drama and Spanish from Exeter University in 2010 after which he was selected to sit on the Olivier Awards judging panel for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. After serving on the panel for a year he was accepted into the Oxford School of Drama on a full scholarship and pursued a career in acting with career highlights including playing the leads in both the Amazon Prime series The Grass Is Always Grindr and the 50th anniversary production of Ken Loach’s Cathy Come Home at the Barbican Theatre. Denholm has worked extensively with homeless theatre charity Cardboard Citizens, having experienced homelessness for several years in his youth, and is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

He produced his first theatre show in London while still homeless. Under The Blue Sky by David Eldridge was staged OffWestEnd and starred Holby City regular David Paisley. Other producing credits include the international sell-out tour of Happily Ever Poofter and The Beast of Blue Yonder (Southwark Playhouse)

Denholm has served on the OffWestEnd Awards judging panel on and off for 10 years, including as the Super Assessor for Best Performance. Between 2014-2017 he devised and produced the worlds first cyber ceremony for The Offies with notable hosts including Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart, he also produced the live award ceremonies in 2018, 2023 and 2024. Amongst that, he has freelanced as a producer and consultant for The Offies.

His charity work includes raising over £10,000 across two years producing Disnay Snatched, a parody drag extravaganza competition which supported HIV charity Wandsworth Oasis, and promoted fair pay and equal opportunities for artists and performers. In the gaming sphere Denholm has worked as a graphic designer, developer, designer and publisher. He has worked with successful US and UK publishers such as Alley Cat Games, Naylor Games, and Talon Strikes as well as on a freelance basis. He has also worked as a board game reviewer for Zatu Games.