Previous competitions
Since 2001 the Royal ExchangeTheatre have been encouraging a new generation of playwrights with, in the first instance, two regional based competitions that attracted between them over 400 entries. This resulted in three festivals of new writing that introduced audiences to eight new writers one of whom, Nick Leather subsequently become writer in residence and whose Pearson Award winning script ALL THE ORDINARY ANGELS was produced at the Theatre in October 2005.
In November 2005, the Theatre and Manchester based Property Company Bruntwood joined forces to search for the best unperformed and original plays nation-wide. A staggering 1800 scripts were submitted. Every one of the plays was read by a team of experienced readers before the following winners were announced at a star-studded event.
Ben Musgrave came first with his play PRETEND YOU HAVE BIG BUILDINGS. Ben received £15,000 and saw his play performed on the main stage at the Royal Exchange during the Manchester International Festival, 2007.
2nd prize and a cheque for £10,000 went to Duncan Macmillan with MONSTER, which was also performed during the Manchester International Festival in The Studio at the Royal Exchange. Duncan was writer-in-residence at the Exchange in 2007 and received a bursary of £5,000.
3rd prize and a cheque for £5,000 went to Phil Porter with THE CRACKS IN MY SKIN, which was performed in The Studio in February 2008. The Under 26 prize and a cheque for £5,000 went to Matt Hartley with SIXTY FIVE MILES and the North West prize went to Ian Kershaw with CANDY LAND.
Since 2001 the Royal ExchangeTheatre have been encouraging a new generation of playwrights with, in the first instance, two regional based competitions that attracted between them over 400 entries. This resulted in three festivals of new writing that introduced audiences to eight new writers one of whom, Nick Leather subsequently become writer in residence and whose Pearson Award winning script ALL THE ORDINARY ANGELS was produced at the Theatre in October 2005.
In November 2005, the Theatre and Manchester based Property Company Bruntwood joined forces to search for the best unperformed and original plays nation-wide. A staggering 1800 scripts were submitted. Every one of the plays was read by a team of experienced readers before the following winners were announced at a star-studded event.
Ben Musgrave came first with his play PRETEND YOU HAVE BIG BUILDINGS. Ben received £15,000 and saw his play performed on the main stage at the Royal Exchange during the Manchester International Festival, 2007.
2nd prize and a cheque for £10,000 went to Duncan Macmillan with MONSTER, which was also performed during the Manchester International Festival in The Studio at the Royal Exchange. Duncan was writer-in-residence at the Exchange in 2007 and received a bursary of £5,000.
3rd prize and a cheque for £5,000 went to Phil Porter with THE CRACKS IN MY SKIN, which was performed in The Studio in February 2008. The Under 26 prize and a cheque for £5,000 went to Matt Hartley with SIXTY FIVE MILES and the North West prize went to Ian Kershaw with CANDY LAND.
Speaking about the competition judge Brenda Blethyn said:
“We have to applaud the Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester for holding this competition because the future of our theatre depends on new writing. It was a pleasure to be included in the selection process. Choosing the winning three was difficult because all of the ten plays submitted for consideration by the panel were excellent, with themes ranging from sexual disorientation, frustration, intolerance, change, loss, celebration, embarrassment, racial harmony and disharmony, and optimism.”
Speaking about the competition Bruntwood said:
"We’ve supported the arts for many years but our relationship with The Royal Exchange has grown over the past decade. In this time we have provided an annual Bursary For New Plays, supported a regional play writing competition and enabled ticketing promotions, not to mention introducing over 2000 of our customers to new play writing. These activities were recently recognised by Arts and Business in their regional awards.
The opportunity to search the UK for quality, new work is very exciting. We’re hopeful that through the competition we’ll unearth a fresh piece of theatre that one day may entertain audiences and our customers, up and down the country.”
“We have to applaud the Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester for holding this competition because the future of our theatre depends on new writing. It was a pleasure to be included in the selection process. Choosing the winning three was difficult because all of the ten plays submitted for consideration by the panel were excellent, with themes ranging from sexual disorientation, frustration, intolerance, change, loss, celebration, embarrassment, racial harmony and disharmony, and optimism.”
Speaking about the competition Bruntwood said:
"We’ve supported the arts for many years but our relationship with The Royal Exchange has grown over the past decade. In this time we have provided an annual Bursary For New Plays, supported a regional play writing competition and enabled ticketing promotions, not to mention introducing over 2000 of our customers to new play writing. These activities were recently recognised by Arts and Business in their regional awards.
The opportunity to search the UK for quality, new work is very exciting. We’re hopeful that through the competition we’ll unearth a fresh piece of theatre that one day may entertain audiences and our customers, up and down the country.”