- Five plays shortlisted for Soho Theatre’s Verity Bargate Award.
- Winner announced Thursday 7 October.
- The judging panel includes Alan Cumming, Anthony Lau, Anupama Chandrasekhar, Moira Buffini, Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem and Ryan Calais Cameron.
- Chaired by Stephen Garrett, the Award is sponsored by Character 7
In its 42nd year and from a record number of over 1700 submissions and 20 longlisted plays, five have been selected as the shortlist for Soho Theatre’s new writing competition, the Verity Bargate Award, sponsored by Character 7.
The shortlist showcases the originality and audacity of emerging playwrights from across the UK and Ireland.
From 1950s Trinidad to contemporary Belfast to a medieval castle where ‘tavern wenches’ and stable boys dodge both dragons and dating apps, the shortlisted plays span an extraordinary range of subjects, themes and genres.
The Verity Bargate Award 2024 shortlisted plays are as follows:
- Eleanor Tindall, WHAT IF ORPHEUS WAS FOUR SAD WOMEN
- Eoin McAndrew, Little Brother
- Martha Watson Allpress, Stuff
- Martina Laird, Driftwood
- Samantha Miles, Dragonslayer
The winning play will be decided by a panel of judges and announced at an industry event on Thursday 7 November.
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 and Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival 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).
Synopses
What If Orpheus Was Four Sad Women – Eleanor Tindall
Grace, Jade, Maya & Naomi were best friends at school. Fast forward to 2024 and the clique is 2 down; Jade is dead & Naomi is estranged. Maya and Grace are still going strong until one day Naomi turns up; convinced that she can go back in time and stop Jade from dying. The three are forced to look back at Jade’s doomed path – which, in hindsight, seems so clearly signposted. As blame is tossed around & desperation intensifies, the past feels closer and closer to their grasp; what will be sacrificed if Jade is saved?
Little Brother – Eoin McAndrew
Brigid gets a phone call from her brother, Niall, in the middle of the night. They talk about nothing in particular and agree to meet on Saturday to catch-up properly. Brigid goes back to sleep, and Niall sets his own hand on fire. When Niall gets out of hospital, he moves in with Brigid, and over the next two years in Belfast, we follow their lives and Niall’s recovery. Brigid promises herself that this will not happen again
Martha Watson Allpress – Stuff
Three years ago Fern had a daughter. Two years six months ago Fern suffered a psychotic break.
Two months ago her brother won an Oscar. Three years ago Gabe shot a film. Two years six months ago Gabe’s sister suffered a psychotic break. Two months ago Gabe won an Oscar. Twenty years ago, Gabe and Fern were living in a house with a hoarder and today, brother and sister are going on a walk. Stuff is a circular play about closure, growth and… well, other stuff.
Martina Laird – Driftwood
Diamond is on the run from his life in a post war Trinidad. In the pursuit of the mother who
abandoned him, he finds himself trapped between desire and political entanglement. The turns in his small-time con act echo the developments in the nation’s colonial legacy. His own challenges for self-determination are set against the British colony’s struggle to free itself from Empire and move
towards Independence.
Samantha Miles – Dragonslayer
It’s the 14th century and our kingdom needs a hero. Could it be you? Deep within the belly of a crumbling castle, a dragon lies in wait for two ill-fated maidens. With their hopeless characters already decided for them, there’s not much else they can do besides sit in the embroidery tent all weekend. Maybe they’ll update their dating profiles. Maybe they’ll grow fangs. There’s just something about Renaissance fairs, isn’t there? A play about ancient storytelling, online dating, and a deep-rooted shame that has been passed down for centuries.
