Oslo  - British director Peter Brook was Monday named winner of the International Ibsen Award, the jury headed by Norwegian actress and director Liv Ullmann said.

The new prize, worth 2.5 million kroner (460,000 dollars), was in recognition of Brook's "successful demonstration that all significant theatre has a unique ability to bring people together."

Brook, 83, has directed numerous stage productions and worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Opera House in London. He has also been involved with film and television work.

The award was due to be presented August 31 in the port city of Skien where prolific Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) was born.

The Norwegian government established the International Ibsen Award in 2007. dpa