A Partnership with Craft at Its Heart

Our partnership with Pragnell is built on a deep and lasting connection - to Stratford-upon-Avon, to British craft, and to the power of live performance.

In 2025, Pragnell are sponsoring Titus Andronicus and The BFG and in 2026, they will be sponsoring Henry V, helping to spotlight the hundreds of hands that shape each production.

Their ongoing support of the Royal Shakespeare Company reflects our shared belief in the importance of making things beautifully - whether on stage, in a workshop, or at the jeweller’s bench. Together we are ensuring that we continue to invest in the tools, talent and training needed to keep theatre craft alive.

Celebrating Theatre Makers

The Pragnell Prize and the Co-Artistic Directors’ Dinner

Each year, Pragnell presents The Pragnell Prize to an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to Shakespearean theatre.

The prize is awarded at our annual Co-Artistic Directors’ Dinner, a landmark event in the RSC’s calendar that brings together artists, patrons, and supporters to celebrate artistic achievement, honour those shaping the future of theatre and thank our funders.

This year, we were thrilled to announce Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod as the Pragnell Prize winners. Visionary founders of the international theatre company, Cheek by Jowl, the pair have been sharing brilliantly reimagined Shakespearean works across the globe for over 40 years.

As a long-standing supporter of this evening, Pragnell helps create a space to celebrate the people whose work, whether in the spotlight or behind it, makes Shakespeare’s stories live and breathe today. The prize is not only a mark of excellence but a meaningful reminder of the dedication and artistry that powers great theatre.

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Supporting Skills and Opportunity

The Pragnell Apprentice

In continued dedication to inspiring future creatives, Pragnell will be sponsoring a dedicated apprentice role at the RSC - commencing in January 2026 - to help a young person gain vital hands-on experience in a professional theatre setting.

This role offers the opportunity to train directly alongside our talented departments, where the apprentice will learn traditional techniques as well as modern innovations, gaining an in-depth understanding of theatre craft in a real-world environment.

By supporting this role, Pragnell continues to champion emerging talent and hands-on learning. It’s a commitment to craft in its truest sense, ensuring specialist knowledge is passed on, and the next generation of theatre-makers has the skills, confidence and inspiration to succeed.

"Our partnership with the RSC is deep-rooted in our shared heritage in Stratford-upon-Avon. For over 70 years we have worked together to promote the arts and preserve Shakespeare's legacy. We are delighted to announce our Craft and Design apprenticeship scheme. This resonates with our dedication to the preservation of British craftsmanship, and we are proud to support creative talent in the arts both in our hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon and further afield."

Charlie Pragnell, Pragnell Managing Director

A wig artist stitching a long red wig onto a head model in the dressing room

Supporting Bold Stories

Since becoming our Craft and Design Sponsor, Pragnell has been across major productions in the RSC’s 2025/26 season, reflecting the breadth, ambition and craftsmanship of our work. This year’s sponsorship includes Shakespeare’s thrilling and visceral Titus Andronicus, Roald Dahl’s magical and heartwarming The BFG in a brand-new stage adaptation, and the stirring, politically charged Henry V.

Each production presents unique creative challenges - from building giant puppets in The BFG to staging full-scale battles in Henry V. None of it would be possible without the collaboration of expert costume-makers, prop artists, scenic designers, and technicians behind the scenes.

Through their sponsorship, Pragnell plays a direct role in enabling this complex creative work by supporting the artistry and innovation that defines our productions. Their support helps us take bold creative directions and bring world-class theatre to life, right here in Stratford.

"We’re delighted that our long-standing partnership with Pragnell is deepening as they become our Craft and Design Sponsor.

"Our relationship spans more than 30 years, beginning with the first Pragnell Prize awarded to Dame Peggy Ashcroft in 1990. Pragnell’s dedication to celebrating Stratford-upon-Avon and the work of the RSC is truly valued, especially in these challenging times for cultural organisations. Their renewed support is rooted in our shared commitment to artistry, heritage, and exceptional craftsmanship, values that lie at the heart of everything we do on stage.

"Pragnell’s sponsorship will help to highlight the incredible skill behind the RSC’s productions and strengthen our apprenticeship programme, ensuring we are able to support the next generation of theatre-makers. We’re deeply grateful for their continued partnership and look forward to the moments we’ll create together."

Andrew Leveson, RSC Executive Director

Roald Dahl's The BFG, BFG in big balloon like shiny blue and pink letters

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About Pragnell

Pragnell is a British family-run jeweller, with a rich and royal heritage spanning over 170 years.

As one of the UK’s last full-service jewellers, all Pragnell fine jewellery is handcrafted in British workshops by our highly trained craftspeople, using gemstones of exceptional beauty and quality.

Pragnell showrooms are located in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Mayfair and Leicester.

Discover Pragnell Stratford-upon-Avon showrooms in the heart of the town on Wood Street just a few minutes’ walk from the Royal Shakespeare Company.

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