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Dateline: 14th March, 2008
Second Bruntwood Competition Launched Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre this week launched the second round of the country's richest prize for new stage plays, the Bruntwood Playwriting Competition, with a prize fund of £35,000 and the chance of production and publication for the winners. Sponsored once again by Manchester property company Bruntwood, the competition is open to anyone aged 18 and over in the UK or Ireland, including both new writers and produced professionals. Winning plays will be considered for production in one of the Royal Exchange's two performance spaces, and those that are produced will be published by theatre specialist theatre publishers Nick Hern Books. From the first competition, three plays — Pretend You Have Big Buildings by Ben Musgrave, Monster by Duncan Macmillan and The Cracks in my Skin by Phil Porter — were produced at the theatre and other shortlisted works were passed on to other companies and developed by them. The judging panel will be chaired by actor and director Richard Wilson, who will be joined by actors Brenda Blethyn and Michael Sheen, film director Roger Michell, playwright Roy Williams, Royal Exchange co-artistic director Greg Hersov and Bruntwood chairman Michael Oglesby. Entries must be received by 13th June, 2008, and winners will be announced in October. A web site www.writeaplay.co.uk attached to the competition went live this week, containing competition rules, an entry form, tips on writing plays and a blog (labelled 'chatroom'). Chairman Richard Wilson said, “I am delighted that the Royal Exchange Theatre and Bruntwood have joined forces to establish a new national Playwriting Competition. It is essential that new writers are encouraged to find their voices and to become the next recorders of their generation. What is wonderful about this particular contest is that a chosen number of the entrants will see their work performed. I wish them all the best of luck and look forward to reading their efforts.” Artistic director and judge Greg Hersov said, “The competition is a vivid addition to the national new writing scene and we salute Bruntwood on its generous investment in this vital part of the Royal Exchange’s commitment to new writing.” David Chadderton
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