Best Writer

Boys on the Verge of Tears at Soho Theatre, London. Photo: Marc Brenner

First professional writing credit in a production staged between 18th July 2025 and 9th July 2026 in the UK and reviewed by The Stage.

Nominees must be over 16 years old or over.

Last Year's Joint Winner

Almeida Theatre, London

This debut play about female friendship and male power by TV dramatist Ava Pickett was vividly engaging and delivered with dash and flair.

Agent: Curtis Brown

Training: Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Byre Theatre, St Andrews

Raw, real and mightily moving, Sweeney’s debut told a Glasgow-set story of depression, desperation and connection.

Agent: Brennan Artists

Training: New College Lanarkshire

Anoushka Lucas for Elephant at Bush Theatre, London
Tyrell Williams for Red Pitch at the Bush Theatre, London
Temi Wilkey for The High Table at the Bush Theatre, London (in a co-production with Birmingham Rep)
Jasmine Lee-Jones for Seven Methods of Killing Kylie Jenner at the Royal Court, London
Andrew Thompson for In Event of Moone Disaster at Theatre503, London
Katherine Soper for Wish List at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, and Royal Court Theatre, London