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Draft:Ben and Max Ringham

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Ben and Max Ringham are award winning British sound designers, composers and dramatists.[1][2]

The Ringhams have contributed to theatre productions that have emphasized the role of sound in storytelling, including Anna (Royal National Theatre, 2019) and Berberian Sound Studio (Donmar Warehouse, 2019).[3]

Career

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Brothers ben and Max Ringham began their careers in avant-pop group Superthriller. Their transition into theatre began in the early 2000s through their collaboration with Shunt (theatre company), an experimental theatre company known for immersive, site-specific productions. Between 1999 and 2012, they provided scores and sound designs for Shunt's productions, later becoming associate artists with the company.

In 2005, then-National Theatre Artistic Director Nicholas Hytner invited the Ringhams to compose scores for his productions of Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 at the Olivier Theatre.[4] This was followed by commissions for Phaedra at the Donmar Warehouse and The Caretaker at the Sheffield Crucible in 2006.

Through the 2000s and 2010s, the Ringhams provided scores for many of the UK's theatre companies, including the Royal National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, as well as commercial productions in West End theatre and Broadway theatre.[5]

A notable aspect of their career has been their long-standing collaboration with director Jamie Lloyd (director), frequently employing techniques such as close miking and over-amplification in their sound designs.[6]

In 2022 The Ringhams moved in to writing with a commission to create a sound based drama for BBC Radio 4's Limelight slot.[7] The resulting drama, Exemplar, co-written with Dan Rebellato won Best Original Series at the BBC Radio Drama Awards (2023).

Notable Works

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  • Anna (2019) – A Cold War thriller staged at the Royal National Theatre, co-created with Ella Hickson. The production utilised binaural sound design, with audiences experiencing the action through headphones from the protagonist's auditory perspective.[8]
  • Bells For Peace (2019) – A project by artist Yoko Ono, opening the Manchester International Festival. The Ringhams composed a score using church bells processed through long reverbs to accompany Ono's voice.
  • Berberian Sound Studio (2019) – A stage adaptation of the 2012 film, performed at the Donmar Warehouse. The Ringhams collaborated with foley artist Tom Espiner to create a live and recorded sound score.
  • Cyrano de Bergerac (2019) – Directed by Jamie Lloyd (director) and starring James McAvoy, the production featured a soundscape blending rap, poetry, and electronic beats.
  • Blindness (2020) – An adaptation of José Saramago's novel, presented at the Donmar Warehouse during the COVID-19 pandemic. The production employed binaural audio and was billed as a Sound and Light Installation.[9]
  • Prima Facie (2022/23) – A one-woman play by Suzie Miller, starring Jodie Comer in London and on Broadway. The Ringhams collaborated with composer Self Esteem (musician), receiving Olivier and Tony Award nominations.
  • King Lear (2023/24) – A New York production starring Kenneth Branagh, featuring a Dolby Atmos-integrated sound design, marking a first for major theatrical productions.[10]
  • Exemplar (2022–2025) – A BBC Radio 4 drama series co-created and co-written with Dan Rebellato, featuring Gina McKee as a forensic audio examiner.

Awards

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  • Olivier Award nominations for Best Sound Design: Piaf (2009), The Ladykillers (2012), Anna (2020), Cyrano (2020), Prima Facie (2022)[11]
  • Tony Award nominations for Best Sound Design in a Play: A Doll's House (2023), Prima Facie (2023)[12]
  • Drama Desk Awards for Best Sound Design: Cyrano (2020), A Doll's House (2023)
  • BBC Audio Drama Awards Best Original Series or Serial: Exemplar (2023[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Sound designers Ben and Max Ringham: 'Directors and audiences are more sound-literate now. It's brilliant'".
  2. ^ Akbar, Arifa (28 June 2022). "'Why can't we do it?': The Ringham brothers' daring sound designs". The Guardian.
  3. ^ "Squelchy melons and squeaky drills: How to bring the disturbing world of Berberian Sound Studio to the stage". The Independent. February 12, 2019.
  4. ^ Wolf, Matt (May 10, 2005). "Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2".
  5. ^ "Ben and Max Ringham".
  6. ^ "How These Sound Designers Made Sure You Can Hear Jessica Chastain Whisper On Stage". Playbill.
  7. ^ "Exclusive: Ringham brothers move into audio drama with thriller starring Gina McKee". The Stage.
  8. ^ "Anna review, Dorfman, National Theatre, London, 2019". The Stage.
  9. ^ Wyver, Kate (August 9, 2020). "Blindness review – blazing pandemic tale is brilliantly too close for comfort". The Guardian.
  10. ^ "Off-Broadway Kenneth Branagh-Led King Lear Will Be 1st Live Theatre Show to Use Dolby Atmos". Playbill.
  11. ^ "Olivier Awards 2023: the nominations in full". The Stage.
  12. ^ "Ben Tony Awards Wins and Nominations". www.broadwayworld.com.
  13. ^ "BBC Radio 4 - BBC Audio Drama Awards - Audio Drama Awards 2023 – The Winners". BBC.
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