Pinter Prize for Constellations author Nick Payne

Nick Payne, writer Royal Court play Constellations has won the second Harold Pinter Playwright’s Award, introduced last year to support a new Royal Court commission.

The inaugural award last year went to Anders Lustgarten and is now awarded annually by Harold Pinter’s widow, Lady Antonia Fraser, to support a new commission at the Royal Court. There are no restrictions on the award and can be given to any playwright, from a first-time, unpublished writer to one already established.

Nick Payne was a member of the Young Writers Programme at the Royal Court and made his debut in September 2010 with Wanderlust. His second play Constellations, starring Sally Hawkins and Rafe Spall opened in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs in January this year and will transfer to the Duke of York’s theatre, as part of the Royal Court’s West End season.

Dominic Cooke, Artistic Director of the Royal Court said: “I’m delighted that we are able to present Nick with the Harold Pinter Playwright’s Award, given very generously by Harold’s widow Antonia Fraser, at this pivotal stage in his career and very excited to see what he does next.”

-Rosie Bannister