John Whiting Award

The John Whiting Award, administered by Arts Council England, is intended to help further the careers and enhance the reputations of British playwrights and to draw to public attention the importance of writers in contemporary theatre.

The Award is made to the writer whose play, in the judges' opinion, most nearly satisfies the following description: a play in which the writing is of special quality; a play of relevance and importance to contemporary life; a play of potential value to British theatre.

The judges do not have to regard whether or not the play has received a production, or is likely to receive a production or publication. It must, however, have been written during the years 2004 and/or 2005. The value of the award is £6,000. The judges' decision is final.

Any writer can apply who has had one of the following in the calendar years 2004 or 2005:

1. An offer of an award from the Arts Council (e.g. Grants for the Arts)
2. A commission from one of those theatre companies in receipt of regular or Grants for the Arts subsidy from the Arts Council
3. A premiere production by a theatre company in receipt of Grants for the Arts subsidy from the Arts Council

Translations are not eligible.

Contact Charles Hart (Charles.Hart@artscouncil.org.uk) for further information or an application form .