Samuel Bailey News

The Stage has today announced the award-winning & Juliet actress Miriam-Teak Lee will host this year's The Stage Debut Awards, in association with Access Entertainment.

Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Suits), Robbie Williams (Take That), David Mitchell (Peep Show), Aimee Lou Wood (Netflix's Sex Education) and the stars of West End musical Dear Evan Hansen are among the nominees for The Stage Debut Awards 2020, in association with Access Entertainment. 

Papatango today announces that Igor Memic has won the 12th annual Papatango New Writing Prize for his debut full-length play, Old Bridge, from a record 1,504 entries.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary with a ceremony held in the iconic Grand Hall of Battersea Arts Centre on Sunday 8 March 2020, the Off West End Awards once again celebrated the best of independent, fringe and alternative theatres across London.

Papatango and James Quaife Productions today announce the West End transfer of Papatango's original production of Samuel Bailey's critically acclaimed Shook a?' 2019's winner of the annual Papatango New Writing Prize. The production opens at the Trafalgar Studios on 14 April, with previews from 8 April, and runs until 9 May, marking Papatango's first West End transfer. Artistic Director George Turvey reunites the company from the acclaimed debut run at Southwark Playhouse and on tour in 2019 - Josef Davies (Jonjo), Josh Finan (Cain), Andrea Hall (Grace) and Ivan Oyik (Riyad). The production was nominated for seven Off West End Awards (Best Production, Best New Play, Most Promising Playwright, Best Performance Ensemble, Best Director, Best Set and Best Sound); and is currently a finalist for Best Production and Most Promising Playwright Awards.

The Papatango New Writing Prize, now in its twelfth year, opens for submissions today, Tuesday 3 December 2019, until 9pm on Sunday 2 February 2020.

Every year, thousands of playwrights respond to Papatango Theatre Company's call for their New Writing Prize. 2019 saw 1406 entries from across the UK and Republic of Ireland, from which only one was going to be chosen for a full production and a further commission from the company. The winner of this year's highly regarded and fairly ruthless competition is Samuel Bailey with his play Shook, which examines how three teenagers cope in a young offender institution after being shut away by the community.

When I was asked to write a blog about why I wrote Shook, a play about three young offenders trying to break the cycle, I thought about pulling some quotes of people talking about socio-economic class and sharing some statistics about reoffending. Maybe referencing articles on punishment vs. rehabilitation in the justice system, and trying to link the play to a wider societal failing. Which I could do. But when I sat down to write that, an old school friend, J, popped into my head.

Papatango today announces the full cast for the world première of Samuel Bailey's Shook a?" this year's winner of the annual Papatango New Writing Prize. The company's Artistic Director George Turvey directs Josef Davies (Jonjo), Josh Finan (Cain), Andrea Hall (Grace), and Ivan Oyik (Riyad).

Papatango today announces the creative team for the world première of Samuel Bailey's Shook a?" this year's winner of the annual Papatango New Writing Prize. The company's Artistic Director George Turvey directs, with set and costume design by Jasmine Swan, lighting design by Johanna Town, and sound design by Richard Hammarton. The production opens on 1 November at Southwark Playhouse, with previews from 30 October, and runs until 23 November 2019. Following the run at Southwark Playhouse, the production tours to Hope Street Theatre, Liverpool (26 November), Theatr Clwyd (27 - 28 November), Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough (30 November) and Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (4 - 7 December).

At an event today at Shoreditch Town Hall, Papatango announced that Samuel Bailey has won the 11th annual Papatango New Writing Prize for his debut full-length play, Shook, from a record 1,406 entries. Also announced today were the shortlisted writers - Emma Anderson for The Lesson; Steven Bloomer for Bricolage; Tabitha Mortiboy for Daffy Grod and the Shaking Lights, and Joel Tan for Love in the Time of the Ancients. Each of these writers received a showcase reading alongside Shook at today's event for industry attendees.

At an event today at Shoreditch Town Hall, Papatango announced that Samuel Bailey has won the 11th annual Papatango New Writing Prize for his debut full-length play, Shook, from a record 1,406 entries.

This year the New Theatre Royal is staging its biggest Christmas Season yet with its lavish and innovative new Christmas show, Peter Pan, which runs from 13 to 31 December. 

Artistic Director of MGC, Michael Grandage today announces the third annual MGCfutures Bursary Programme is now open for applications; and in addition, a special gala performance of The Lieutenant of Inishmore.

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Michael Grandage today announced the recipients of the second annual MGCfutures Bursaries awarded across a range of theatrical disciplines including directing, writing, producing, video design, choreography and performance makers. Offering both financial and ongoing mentoring support from the MGCfutures team, the recipients come from across the UK. 

The UK premiere production of BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO, a new comedy musical featuring eighteen hits by singer songwriter Neil Sedaka is now in previews at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village ahead of press night on Friday 31st March 2017. 

The eagerly awaited UK premiere of Breaking Up is Hard to Do, a new musical featuring the songs of Neil Sedaka opens at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, Highgate Village, from March 29th.

Full casting is announced today for the London premiere of Breaking Up is Hard to Do, the musical featuring the songs of pop icon Neil Sedaka.

The passionate new musical from Wales is a tale of conflict, social injustice, moral dilemmas, guilt, love and heartbreak, with Music and Lyrics by Christopher J Orton and Book and Lyrics by Robert Gould.