The winner of the inaugural Lancaster Playwriting Prize to discover new voices from culturally diverse backgrounds will be announced at a showcase on October 19.
In its first year, the prize focused on black, Asian, minority ethnic and refugee playwrights of any age or experience resident in the North West and more than 30 plays were submitted.
Lancaster Playwriting Prize is an initiative arising out of the Cultural Partnership between Lancaster University and The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster. It is supported by the actor and Lancaster University graduate Lucy Briers and Tamasha Theatre Company.
The shortlisted writers and plays are: Naomi Sumner Chan from Stockport (Banana Split), Lewis Wren from Leyland (Before it All Falls Down), Leanne Alabi from Warrington (Brexit Among the Worms), Santoshi Mann originally from Blackburn (Dot to Dot) and Lancaster University graduate Adam Kotwal from Bolton (Breaking News).
All will have extracts from their plays performed during the showcase at The Dukes from 2PM on October 19.
The Pay What You Decide event is open to the public who can book for free and then pay whatever they think the showcase has been worth once the performance is over. All contributions will be reinvested into supporting artists through The Dukes.