Tributes paid to 'a peerless talent in writing, developing and directing new shows'

Comedy director Adam Brace has died after a short illness at the age of 43.

His worked on hits including  Liz Kingsman's much-acclaimed One Woman Show,  which was just nominated for the top award and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival after a West End run, and Alex Edelman’s Broadway-bound Just For Us.

He also worked with   stand-ups including  Ruby Wax, Jessie Cave, Ahir Shah, Janine Harouni, Jonny Pelham, Leo Reich, Lou Sanders, Lucy Pearman, Nina Conti, Ruby Wax, Sami Abu Wardeh, Sarah Keyworth, Stevie Martin and Sunil Patel.

The news was broken by Soho Theatre, where he was an associate director

In a statement they said: ‘It is with deep sadness we announce that our much-loved friend, colleague and client Adam Brace died on Saturday 29th April.

‘Adam was a director, co-creator, dramaturg, script editor and writer. He was a unique talent of our time, working with artists all over the world across theatre, comedy and performance.

‘With enormous range and variety, his work won many accolades and awards, though he was fiercely proud of all of his shows and the artists he worked with. He loved working with them, and everyone loved working with him.

‘His creative generosity, laconic joyfulness - his 'Braceness' - lives on in his collaborators and their work.

‘Adam was a vital part of Soho Theatre at every level, and it's hard to imagine the company, or the work on its stages, without him. He will be missed by his many friends, colleagues and collaborators.

‘Our thoughts and love are with them, and particularly his partner Becca, his mum and step-dad Nikki and Nigel, and his brothers Tim and Alex.’

Comics were quick to pay tribute.

Adam Kay said: ‘Such awful, shocking news. A brilliant and lovely man. Sending love and strength to all his friends and family.’

Eshaan Akbar added: ‘This is unfathomable news. Adam was an immense man. Kind, generous with his time, thoughtful and always armed with a good story. I shall miss the way his eyes lit up when I saw him in Soho Theatre and his warm embrace. This is terrible, terrible news.’

And Jan Ravens said: ‘This is the saddest news. A warm, thoughtful, incredibly generous man. A peerless talent in writing, developing and directing new shows. Condolences to his loved ones.’'

As well as his work as a director, Brace wrote two full-length plays, Stovepipe and They Drink It In The Congo and a short play, Midnight Your Time, and worked on TV shows including The Mash Report and Late Night Mash,

An event in his memory will be held later.

Published: 2 May 2023