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Ground-breaking director scoops University honour

15/09/2017

A director has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to film and TV production by the University of Wolverhampton.

Award-winning film-maker Michael Cumming, a graduate of the University, has been working at the cutting edge since the 1990s and his credits include the ground-breaking series Brass Eye.

He was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Arts at a graduation ceremony at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre on Friday, 22 September 2017.

Michael said: “I came to Wolverhampton with the vague idea that I wanted to study Fine Art and was guided and gently steered in interesting new directions I had never thought possible. Wolverhampton encouraged me to dream and enabled me to discover a passion that has stayed with me all my life. I have much to thank it for.”

Michael Cumming is a director and filmmaker, successfully working at the cutting edge since the 1990s. Alongside his award-winning comedy television shows, he also produces work within a fine art context.



A graduate from the University of Wolverhampton and the Royal College of Art Film School, Michael’s list of collaborators reads like a who’s who of British comedy: Chris Morris, Matt Berry, Stewart Lee, Omid Djalili, Mark Thomas, Jo Brand, Rory Bremner, John Bird and John Fortune, Mark Steel, Peter Serafinowicz, Sir Lenny Henry, Alistair McGowan, Matt Lucas and David Walliams.

In a directing career spanning 30 years, Michael’s work combines a strong visual sense with a talent for capturing extraordinary performances and includes the ground-breaking and controversial Brass Eye series, five series of political pranks and polemics on The Mark Thomas Product, cult classic Snuff Box, Jo Brand’s improvised comedy drama Going Forward and three series of Matt Berry’s BAFTA winning sitcom, Toast Of London.

The University of Wolverhampton awards honorary degrees to people who have made a significant contribution to their field of expertise.

Graduation takes place at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, from Friday 15 September to Friday, 22 September 2017.

For more information about University of Wolverhampton courses visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/clearing 

Further information

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.

For more information please contact the Corporate Communications Team.

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