Theatre News

Winner of the 2015 Papatango New Writing Prize announced

The prize was awarded to James Rushbrooke at Southwark Playhouse

James Rushmoore's Tomcat
James Rushmoore's Tomcat

James Rushbrooke has been announced as the winner of this year's Papatango New Writing Prize for his play Tomcat. It will receive a four week run at Southwark Playhouse from 28 October to 21 November 2015.

The annual awards, which are now in their seventh year, champion new playwrights by offering full production and publication. Tomcat will be Rushbrooke's first full production.

George Turvey, artistic director of Papatango, says "Tomcat was the outstanding play from over 600 entries. James is a highly original new writer, and Tomcat is one of the most exciting scripts we've ever had. Its exploration of medical ethics, mental illness and abortion tackles the urgency and controversy of these issues with sensitivity."

According to press material:

In the not-too-distant future, the world is better than ever. Diseases and disorders have been wiped out. But 12 year old Jess doesn't belong. She slipped through the net and there's something dangerous in her DNA, something that must be 'cured'. As debate over genetic screening rages, Tomcat'''s urgent vision questions the lengths to which we will go to keep humanity healthy.''

Previous winners of the Papatango New Writing Prize include BAFTA-winner Dominic Mitchell, OffWestEnd Award and RNT Foundation Playwright Award winner Dawn King, Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer) and Fiona Doyle (Deluge).

Casting and other creative details are to be announced.