A THEATRE company based in Tameside has beat stiff competition from across the country to win a prestigious audio industry award.
Made by Mortals, a participatory arts organisation in Ashton-under-Lyne, has garnered the ‘Best Grassroots Production’ accolade at the 2023 Audio Production Awards in London.
The not-for-profit company was up against the Prison Radio Association, Multitrack and the Transmission Roundhouse Podcast Academy in the same category.
The success was down to its hit children’s podcast series called Armchair Adventures.
Launched during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, the educational podcast series for kids aged six to 10 years old featured ideas, experiences and voices of older people aged 65 and over from across Greater Manchester.
Hosted by the audio industry body Audio UK, The Audio Production Awards celebrates the pinnacle of audio production talent from across the UK, encompassing podcasting, radio, audiobooks and sound design.
The judging panel, including representatives from across the audio industry, described Armchair Adventures as “a fantastic grassroots piece with a strong community focus” and said it was “great to see intergenerational work between young and mature voices”.
Andy Smith, Artistic Director at Made by Mortals, explained why the award means so much.
“We’re over the moon that our podcast has been recognised by the UK’s audio industry,” he said.
“This means so much to us and the group of older people whose voices you hear in every episode.
“Armchair Adventures started as a way for Made by Mortals to help our local community and group of older, amateur actors to connect and create joy during lockdown. Three years later we are blown away by the continued success of the series.
“This Audio Production Award is the icing on the cake of what’s been an incredible year for Armchair Adventures.”
The accolade marks a remarkable milestone for Armchair Adventures, which recently launched its fourth season in October and has amassed over 200,000 listens worldwide.
Find out more including how to listen at https://www.madebymortals.org/armchair-adventures/