Theatre News

George Devine Award shortlist announced

The winner will receive a £15,000 prize

The Canary and the Crow
The Canary and the Crow
© The Other Richard

The shortlist for the 2020 George Devine Award has been unveiled.

Founded in 1966 in memory of the Royal Court's first artistic director, the prize recognises new writing and powerful voices of promise.

The shortlist for this year is composed of:

When Great Trees Fall by Dipo Baruwa-Etti
Motherland by Chris Bush
Staying at Stacey's by Annie Jenkins
Does My Bomb Look Big In This? by Nyla Levy
There are no beginnings by Charley Miles
Out of Sorts by Danusia Samal
O, Island! by Nina Segal
The Canary and the Crow by Daniel Ward
The High Table by Temi Wilkey

Previous winner and this year's judge Roy Williams said: "'The quality of the plays on the 2020 Shortlist is exceptional. They are a set of bold, diverse voices representing huge variety in style and subject matter. Amidst a very difficult year for theatre, it felt clear when discussing these plays with my fellow judges that there is a bright future to look towards for new writing when the industry reopens."

Also on this year's panel are previous winner Charlene James, former Royal Court artistic director Ian Rickson, actress Patsy Ferran, director Elayce Ismail and producer Amy Powell Yeates.

The winner will be revealed later this month.

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