After the excitement of yesterday, we would like to take this opportunity to introduce everyone to our Bruntwood Prize winners and shortlist for 2011. Four very different writers who have created four completely unique worlds that captured the imaginations of our judging panel.
Our first prize winner, Janice Okoh, used to be a legal assistant in the City of London, and our judges praised her characters as “dynamic, alive and funny” and applauded the imaginative reach of her play. She receives an award of £16,000.
Also receiving awards yesterday were our three judges’ award winners, who each receive £8,000 awards and see their plays developed towards production by the Royal Exchange. Alistair McDowall’s BRILLIANT ADVENTURES. Maxine Peake described Alistair’s play as “theatrically playful” and as having “a sense of magic”.
Gareth Farr received a judges’ award for BRITANNIA WAVES THE RULES, an award made by Sue Johnston who described it as “a play with a big heart” that contains ”a central character with phenomenal energy and an astonishing voice”. Completing the quartet is Louise Monaghan with SHADOW PLAY. Making the award to Louise, Jackie Kay described the play as “an authentic and compassionate exploration of a family’s response to trauma.”
Chair of the Judges Simon Stephens commended an exceptionally strong shortlist for the awards, which included six other writers all of whose identities were announced yesterday as well. To read all about our fantastic shortlist, click here or take a look at our shortlist brochure below.
Photos from the Bruntwood Ceremony:
Congratulations Janice !
You did it ! So pleased for you.