- Record number of submissions to Soho Theatre’s iconic new writing competition, sponsored by Character 7
- Shortlist announced late October, award winner announced November
- Judges: Alan Cumming, Anupama Chandrasekhar, Anthony Lau, Moira Buffini, Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem, Ryan Calais Cameron and Stephen Garrett
In its 42nd year and from a record number of 1700 submissions, 20 new plays have been longlisted for Soho Theatre’s new writing competition, the Verity Bargate Award, sponsored by Character 7.
In a clear reflection of originality and audacity of emerging playwrights from across UK and Ireland, the list includes plays that span an extraordinary range of subjects, themes and genres. From an ailing bar in 1950s Trinidad and Tobago to encounters with walruses in contemporary Norway, to a near future where memories can be extracted and preserved for future generations.
This year the judging panel hail from film, TV and theatre and bring a wide range of perspectives to the judging process, from both inside the theatre industry and beyond.
The judging panel, chaired by Stephen Garrett of award-winning independent production company Character 7 (Culprits, The Undoing, The Night Manager) includes:
- multi award-winning screen and stage actor Alan Cumming
- director Anthony Lau (former Associate Artistic Director, Sheffield Theatres)
- playwright Anupama Chandrasekhar (The Father and the Assassin at National Theatre)
- Olivier Award-winning playwright Moira Buffini (Handbagged at Kiln / West End; Dinner at National Theatre / West End)
- award-winning musician and actor Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem (Cabaret at Kit Kat Club) and
- writer, director and Nouveau Riche artistic director Ryan Calais Cameron (For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy at Royal Court Theatre / West End; Typical at Soho Theatre).
The Verity Bargate Award 2024 longlisted plays are as follows:
- Abbi Greenland, Talking to Boys
- Billie Collins, The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure
- Dina Nayeri, Idyll
- Eleanor Tindall, WHAT IF ORPHEUS WAS FOUR SAD WOMEN
- Eoin McAndrew, Little Brother
- Héloïse Thual, God Is A Giant Pickle
- Isla van Tricht, Mamet is Dead
- John-Luke Roberts, Pat!
- Joseph Charlton, Anniversary
- Joy Nesbitt, Good
- Martha Watson Allpress, Stuff
- Martina Laird, Driftwood
- Nana-Kofi Kufuor, Olive Morris Never Dies
- Natasha Collie, Eleven at Night Somewhere Without You
- Nick Dawkins, Marilyn
- Noga Flaishon, Mamoriam
- Rhys Warrington, Monument
- Samantha Miles, Dragonslayer
- Sid Sagar, John From Hemel
- Tamsin Rees, Stupid Girls
Soho Theatre will announce the shortlist in late October. The award-winner will be announced at an industry event in November.
