The search is on. Soho Theatre and Character 7, producer of The Night Manager, are looking for extraordinary plays from extraordinary new voices. The Verity Bargate Award is Soho Theatre’s flagship new-writing award with the winning play produced in a full production on our stages.
“It doesn’t matter how old you are, where you’re from or what you do. If you’ve never written before, that’s fine by us. What matters is that great stories are told – human, inspiring and urgent stories which can only exist in this moment.”
For almost 50 years, Soho Theatre has championed new writing. Since 1982, the Verity Bargate Award, Soho Theatre’s playwriting award, has uncovered the best new and emerging writers. It has launched the careers of some of Britain’s most established playwrights and screenwriters including Matt Charman (Bridge of Spies), Vicky Jones (Touch at Soho Theatre), Toby Whithouse (Doctor Who) and many, many more.
What you get: The winner receives £7,500 in respect of an exclusive option for Soho Theatre to produce the play.
Who can enter: The Verity Bargate Award is open to any playwright who has had fewer than three professional productions and who lives in the UK or Ireland. There are no restrictions on subject matter. Musicals and other forms of theatre are welcome but will only be judged on the text that is submitted.
How to apply: read the full submission guidelines and submit online here.
Workshops: Soho Theatre is presenting a series of workshops and information sessions at Soho Theatre and around the UK and Ireland for emerging writers interested in entering the competition. Watch this space for a full list of events.
Deadline: 10 January 2020
Source: Soho Theatre
I’d like to have a go at your competition. I keep writing but have not been published.
Does this preclude my from entering the competition.
Thank you
Bob Dowling
Hi Bob,
I’d recommend contacting the organisers directly with any questions but we are of the understanding that the award is open to any writers in the UK who have had no more than 3 professional productions – so if you are as of yet unpublished, you should be eligible.
HI Kimberley – can you double check your deadline for the VBA award please. The website for soho theatre has 10 Jan closing date for entries rather than the 20 Dec you have in your item. Thanks.
Thanks for this, I copied and pasted the original info from their website so it looks like they have now extended it to 10 January. I appreciate you letting me know!