Soho Theatre is seeking submissions for the Verity Bargate Award 2026, its flagship new writing prize. Sponsored by Character 7, the award celebrates bold, original stage writing and supports emerging UK and Irish playwrights by offering a platform to launch their careers. The winning play will be given a full production at Soho Theatre’s central London venue. The award honours Verity Bargate, co-founder of Soho Theatre and passionate champion of new writing.
Entry Criteria:
- Open to writers resident in the UK or Ireland;
- Applicants must have had fewer than three professional productions (a professional production is typically defined as a run of three weeks);
- Only stage plays are eligible (no film, TV, prose or poetry);
- Works must be unproduced and unpublished;
- Only one play per writer may be submitted;
- Plays must be suitable for full-length performance (usually at least ~10,000 words / 60 mins+).
Application Requirements:
Applicants should prepare to send:
- A complete script of the play (unproduced, Word or PDF format preferred);
- Contact details and a brief biography;
- Confirmation of eligibility (UK/Ireland residency and production history).
Payment / Prize:
- The winner will receive £12,000 and an exclusive option for Soho Theatre to produce the winning play;
- A full London production of the play at Soho Theatre;
- Additionally, a second writer will be selected for the Character 7 Commission and join the Soho ReDraft development programme.
Deadline: 13 April 2026 (opens 12th Jan)
Source: BBC Writers