Papatango New Writing Prize Opens for 2017 Submissions

The Papatango New Writing Prize, now in its ninth incarnation, opens for submissions today, 12 December 2016, until midnight on 5 March 2017.

The Papatango Prize is the UK's only annual opportunity guaranteeing a new writer full production, publication, a royalty of 10% of the gross box office, and a £6000 commission and full developmental support for a follow-up play, an unprecedented commitment to new talent. In addition, every entrant receives feedback on their play - an unmatched investment in grassroots writing.

The winning play will run at Southwark Playhouse from 1 November - 25 November 2017, published by Nick Hern Books. It will be the Papatango Prize's third year at Southwark Playhouse, following the world premieres of the 2016 and 2015 Papatango New Writing Prize winners Orca by Matt Grinter (nominated for Off West End Awards for Most Promising Playwright and Best Set) and Tomcat by James Rushbrooke (nominated for Off West End Awards for Best New Play, Best Female Performance and Best Male Performance). Matt Grinter describes the experience of winning in 2016:

"The time since winning the 2016 Papatango Prize has been without question the most important and fruitful of my career. Papatango have fervently and passionately worked to promote the writing and writers they believe in and I have been so fortunate to be one of them. I have now been signed by The Agency and nominated for an Offie Award for Most Promising New Playwright, leading to meetings with TV production companies and theatres that couldn't have happened without Papatango's help and guidance. The commission for my next play has meant they have continued to provide their expert and precise advice and support as I develop my voice. Throughout the entire process they have always known instinctively what was right for both my play and for me and I cannot thank them enough for giving me such an important, life-changing boost!" Matt Grinter, Papatango New Writing Prize Winner 2016

Entries should have a running time of at least 70 minutes, be original and previously unproduced, and sent anonymously as Microsoft Word or PDF files to scripts@papatango.co.uk by midnight, 5 March 2017. Full details are available at www.papatango.co.uk

"Papatango is one of the most important playwriting competitions available, championing urgent new voices. You cannot learn as a writer without a production and you don't get much better than a Papatango one." Rachel De-lahay, Award-winning Playwright and Artistic Advisor to Papatango

Further info on the winning show and listings info will be distributed in 2017.