Braham Sydney Murray, OBE (12 February 1943 – 25 July 2018) was an English theatre director. In 1976, he was one of five founding Artistic Directors of the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, and the longest-serving (he retired in 2012).[1]
Early years
Braham Goldstein was born in north London, the son of Samuel Goldstein.[2] His name became Murray when his mother remarried and Philip Murray became his stepfather. He attended Clifton College, Bristol, at the age of 13 where he acted in The Bespoke Overcoat by Wolf Mankowitz (adapted from a Gogol short story) and directed Ibsen's Brand in school productions. He read English at University College, Oxford, from 1961.
After leaving Oxford he directed The Winter's Tale at Birmingham Rep with Prunella Scales. Later, in September 1965, he was appointed artistic director of Century Theatre which became the resident company at the University Theatre in Manchester as well as touring the north-west of England using a mobile theatre. In 1967, Michael Elliott and Caspar Wrede agreed to direct productions at the Century Theatre. The following year the three men set up the 69 Theatre Company at the University, where they produced plays until 1972 when the group started to look for a permanent theatre in Manchester.
They were joined by Richard Negri – who was to design the new theatre – and actor James Maxwell, and in 1973 a temporary theatre, The Tent, was installed in the disused Royal Exchange in Manchester. The success of The Tent led to the decision being taken to build the new theatre inside the Royal Exchange. Using the Theatre in the round principles, it became the largest such theatre in the UK.[5] The opening production in September 1976 was The Rivals, directed by Murray. He moved permanently to Manchester at this time, with his wife, designer Joanna Bryant, and their family. She had already designed many of his productions, and would continue to do so at the Royal Exchange.[citation needed]
He continued to be an artistic director of the Company and directed 65 productions.[5] Murray received the OBE in the 2010 New Year Honours for services to drama.[6] In June 2011, he announced that he was to step down as artistic director in 2012.[7]
Snapshots by Fiona Padfield. World premiere directed by Braham Murray and Sarah Frankcom with Terence Wilton (2000)
The Ghost Train Tattoo by Simon Robson. World premiere directed by Braham Murray and Sarah Frankcom with Terence Wilton, Joanna David and Gabrielle Drake (2000)
5@50 by Brad Fraser, with Teresa Banham, Barbara Barnes, Candida Gubbins, Ingrid Lacey and Jan Ravens(2011)
Wonderful Town by Leonard Bernstein. Produced in partnership with the Hallé Orchestra and The Lowry with Connie Fisher, Lucy van Gasse, Michael Xavier, Nic Greenshields and Tiffany Graves. The orchestra was conducted by Mark Elder. The production was the last one directed by Murray as artistic director of the Royal Exchange (2012).
Other theatres
Hang Down Your Head and Die at the Oxford Playhouse (1964)
