Terence Rattigan Award
by your representative at the award, Anne Steward.
By Andy Briggs
The Terence Rattigan Society has launched an exciting competition for aspiring playwrights. Rattigan's recent rediscovery made it appropriate to find a new play in his name.
David Suchet presented the launch. The strong message is that the judges are looking for a new voice for Theatre. There are no nationality, age or gender restrictions other than the writer must be resident in the UK.
Lord Julian Fellowes, David Suchet CBE, Thea Sharrock and Professor Dan Rebellato are the final judges.
The first prize is an astonishing £2,500 and a professional production. The second prize is £1,000 and a rehearsed performance.
I am sure among our members there are writers who have an idea, a part-finished project or even a whole play waiting to be sent off. I have a raw piece that needs polishing up. It would be wonderful if a NAWG member won! We have until the 31st August to submit our plays.
Find details and entry form at www.rattiganaward.com.
Many thanks to Roger Mills for his help.
A day in the city is always enjoyable and I even met one of our members as I walked down from St. Pancreas to Piccadilly Circus.
I was there to represent NAWG at the Jermyn Theatre where the winner will be formally announced in January next year.
The Jermyn is a delightful bijou theatre that I walked past twice before I saw a dignified portico leading down to an intimate basement venue.
I was made very welcome on your behalf by Barbara Langford and the other committee members and raised awareness of our Association. I drank chilled Prosecco, on your behalf, and met interesting and talented people.
The charming, elegant Princess George Galitzine, MBE, was a good friend of Terence Rattigan. She was the Dior model in the 1950s who was the hostess at many of the playwright's star-rich parties. It was good to meet Julian Fellowes again, always a pleasure.
I am hoping to persuade David Suchet to come to a Festival. Nothing would be more persuasive than submissions of excellent plays from our members.