The Liverpool Hope Playwriting Prize in association with the Royal Court Theatre and Liverpool Echo

Liverpool Hope University has partnered with Royal Court Liverpool and the Liverpool Echo to launch a major new competition to find the UK's next great playwright.

This exciting new national competition is a chance for a playwright to win a cash prize of £10,000 and have their work considered for staging by one of the most prolific producing theatres in the North West of England.

Established and new writers are eligible to enter the competition providing they enter a script that has not been professionally performed. The winning plays will be considered for production by Royal Court Liverpool.

In addition to the main cash prize of £10,000, there are two Highly Commended prizes of £1,500 to be awarded at the judges’ discretion in the Over 21 category.
There will also be a 21 and Under category with a £2,500 prize for the best submission by a young writer and two Highly Commended prizes of £500 each, again awarded at the judge' ‘discretion. Writers under 21 will be eligible for the main prize.

In addition to possible production by Royal Court Liverpool, one of the winning texts will have a rehearsed reading as part of the Cornerstone Arts Festival 2014 at Hope’s Creative Campus. The competition is open to any UK resident over the age of 18 and as such, a high level of interest is anticpiated.
There is a £20 entry fee (£15 for 21 and under category) to cover reading and administrative costs.
Entries must be submitted online no later than midnight on 30 May 2014. Details of those shortlisted will then be released with the winner announced in November as part of the Cornerstone Arts Festival 2014. For further information check the Liverpool Hope website.