Soho Theatre in London has announced the nominations longlist for the 40th annual Verity Bargate Award 2022.
Judges to include James Graham, April De Angelis, Theresa Ikoko and Morgan Lloyd Malcolm.
Celebrating new plays and playwrights, this year’s award considered 1,200 submissions, and has narrowed the longlist down to 17 new plays. The plays run the gamut of subject matters, from porn addiction and betting shops, to spiritual and sexual liberation and an octopus taught to believe in God!
Showcasing the very best in new writing, many of the plays were written over the last two years of lockdowns, and include epic dramas, comedies, thrillers and heartfelt autobiographical stories to theatrical leaps of imagination.
A distinguished group of industry judges are on this year’s awards panel includes former Soho playwrights Theresa Ikoko (Girls, 2015, Soho Theatre), James Graham (Tory Boyz, 2008, and Monster Raving Loony, 2016, Soho Theatre) and Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Mum, 2021, Soho Theatre), plus April De Angelis (Jumpy, Royal Court and West End). The award is sponsored by Character 7 and chaired by film and television producer, Character 7’s Stephen Garrett.
The Award honours Verity Bargate, Soho Theatre’s co-founder, who was a champion of new writing.
The winner receives £7,500 and an exclusive option for Soho Theatre to produce the play.
Verity Bargate Award 2022 – nominations longlist
A Woman Walks Into a Bank – Roxy Cook
A Young Man Comes – Alan Mahon
Bet Junkie – Daniel Ward
Boys On The Verge of Tears – Sam Grabiner
CAP: A Medicinal Love Story – Mika Onyx Johnson
Everything I’m Thinking All of the Time – Sam Ward
Friday at the masjid – maatin
Hallelujah – Temi Wilkey
King Troll (The Fawn) – Sonali Bhattacharyya
Lady Dealer – Martha Watson Allpress
Octopolis – Marek Horn
Porn Play – Sophia Chetin-Leuner
Private Adult Things – Georgia Green
Samuel Takes a Break in Male Dungeon
No.5 After a Long but Generally
Successful Day of Tours – Rhianna Ilube
Sick Children Karaoke – Gareth Jandrell
Succession Theme Is My Ringtone – Joe Kerridge
Working Men – Benjamin Kuffuor
