The Papatango Young Playwrights’ Award is set to return to the Park Theatre this July, showcasing the work of nine participants in Papatango’s 2025-26 GoWrite Programme. The creative learning programme aims to support young people in varying circumstances to write their own monologues.
UPDATE (17 July 2026): In an update today, The Papatango Young Playwrights’ Awards have announced this year’s winners: The Wall in Walthamstow by Simra of Eden Girls’ School, Yum by Lorenzo of Harris Lowe Academy Willesden, and Statement of (Redacted) Regarding Sinister Happenings by Maia of the Pavilion Study Centre Meadway.
The shortlisted work will be presented in a professional showcase at the Park Theatre, after which the three award winners will be announced. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by BAFTA nominated actor Josh Finan (Baby Reindeer, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast). This marks a continuation of his creative collaboration with Papatango Theatre Company after starring in the world premiere of Shook at Southwark Playhouse, the 2019 Papatango New Writing Prize Winner from Samuel Bailey.
Kate Ereira, Papatango’s Creative Learning & Engagement Producer, said: “We are enormously proud of the writers whose work has been selected for this year’s Papatango Young Playwrights’ Award. After spending this year producing and publishing the work of hundreds of young people, many in challenging circumstances or facing growing social and economic barriers to theatre, we know how many incisive and important stories belonging to the next generation are yet to be told. We’re very grateful to our supporters at Nick Hern Books and Park Theatre for their help further amplifying some of these vital voices. We hope this celebratory showcase is just the beginning of their journeys in theatre.”
The shortlisted writers
The nine pieces, shortlisted for their exceptional talent, were selected from over 400 participants. Their work will be showcased at Park200, Park Theatre’s main stage.
- Yum by Lorenzo of Harris Lowe Academy Willesden
- Illogical by Hayden of Hanham Woods Academy
- Can I Say Goodbye Now? by Angelina of Hammersmith & Fulham Mencap
- Two Soldiers by Ruben of Frome College
- The Wall in Walthamstow by Simra of Eden Girls’ School
- To Burn or Not to Burn by Amelia of Half Moon Theatre group
- Jack & Jill by Imogen of Holyrood Academy
- Statement of (Redacted) Regarding Sinister Happenings by Maia of the Pavilion Study Centre Meadway
- Stand Up by John of Friern Barnet School
Papatango Theatre company works to discover and champion new playwrights through free opportunities open to anyone in the UK and Ireland. Many debut playwrights launched by Papatango have gone on to win numerous awards including BAFTA, Olivier, Critics’ Circle, OffWestEnd, Susan Smith Blackburn and Royal National Theatre Foundation awards. Their work has also premiered in 33 countries and the West End.
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