Soho Theatre has announced the shortlist for its annual Verity Bargate Award new writing competition, now in its 42nd year.

The winner will be announced on Thursday 7 November 2024.

The judging panel for this year’s award includes actor, writer and Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Alan Cumming, director Anthony Lau (The Crucible, Miss Saigon), playwright Anupama Chandrasekhar (The Father and the Assassin), playwright (Handbagged), musician and actor Rebecca Lucy Taylor AKA Self Esteem (Cabaret), and writer and director Ryan Calais Cameron (For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy). The panel is chaired by Stephen Garrett, who runs production company Character 7 (The Night Manager), who also sponsor the award.

From the 1700 submissions and 20 longlisted plays, five have been selected, showcasing the originality and audacity of emerging playwrights from across the UK and Ireland.

The shortlisted writers are Eleanor Tindall, Eoin McAndrew, Martha Watson Allpress, Martina Laird, and Samantha Miles.

Eleanor Tindall’s new play Tender is coming to London next month, playing the Bush Theatre from 19 November to 21 December 2024.

Martina Laird is currently starring in David Edgar’s new play The New Real at the RSC.

The Verity Bargate Award 2024 – Shortlist

  • Eleanor Tindall, What If Orpheus Was Four Sad Women
  • Eoin McAndrew, Little Brother
  • Martha Watson Allpress, Stuff
  • Martina Laird, Driftwood
  • Samantha Miles, Dragonslayer

More about the shortlisted plays

What If Orpheus Was Four Sad Women – Eleanor Tindall

Grace, Jade, Maya & Naomi were best friends at school. Fast forward to 2024 and the clique is 2 down; Jade is dead & Naomi is estranged. Maya and Grace are still going strong until one day Naomi turns up; convinced that she can go back in time and stop Jade from dying. The three are forced to look back at Jade’s doomed path – which, in hindsight, seems so clearly signposted. As blame is tossed around & desperation intensifies, the past feels closer and closer to their grasp; what will be sacrificed if Jade is saved?

Little Brother – Eoin McAndrew

Brigid gets a phone call from her brother, Niall, in the middle of the night. They talk about nothing in particular and agree to meet on Saturday to catch-up properly. Brigid goes back to sleep, and Niall sets his own hand on fire. When Niall gets out of hospital, he moves in with Brigid, and over the next two years in Belfast, we follow their lives and Niall’s recovery. Brigid promises herself that this will not happen again

Stuff – Martha Watson Allpress

Three years ago Fern had a daughter. Two years six months ago Fern suffered a psychotic break. Two months ago her brother won an Oscar. Three years ago Gabe shot a film. Two years six months ago Gabe’s sister suffered a psychotic break. Two months ago Gabe won an Oscar. Twenty years ago, Gabe and Fern were living in a house with a hoarder and today, brother and sister are going on a walk. Stuff is a circular play about closure, growth and… well, other stuff.

Driftwood – Martina Laird

Diamond is on the run from his life in a post war Trinidad. In the pursuit of the mother who abandoned him, he finds himself trapped between desire and political entanglement. The turns in his small-time con act echo the developments in the nation’s colonial legacy. His own challenges for self-determination are set against the British colony’s struggle to free itself from Empire and move towards independence.

Dragonslayer – Samantha Miles

It’s the 14th century and our kingdom needs a hero. Could it be you? Deep within the belly of a crumbling castle, a dragon lies in wait for two ill-fated maidens. With their hopeless characters already decided for them, there’s not much else they can do besides sit in the embroidery tent all weekend. Maybe they’ll update their dating profiles. Maybe they’ll grow fangs. There’s just something about Renaissance fairs, isn’t there? A play about ancient storytelling, online dating, and a deep-rooted shame that has been passed down for centuries.

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Main photo: Verity Bargate Award 2024 shortlist - L-R Samantha Miles, Eleanor Tindall, Eoin McAndrew, Martha Watson Allpress, Martina Laird

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