Mercury Theatre & Essex University invite entries to

MERCURY PLAYWRITING PRIZE 2017

The Mercury Theatre is proud to announce its latest major initiative in support of new plays and new playwrights, The Mercury Playwriting Prize 2017. We’re looking for plays of the highest standard suitable for production in the Mercury Theatre Studio. We want to discover captivating stories and distinctive voices.

Entries will be read anonymously and judged by a panel that will include Mercury Theatre and Essex University Staff, and established industry professionals.

The Mercury Playwriting Prize is open to writers based in the South East: Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, East Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Surrey and West Sussex. Full list of entry rules below.

PRIZES

The winning writer will receive a £2000 prize, and a year-long attachment to the Mercury Theatre Colchester as an Associate Artist; plus a production in the Studio Theatre, subject to terms and conditions.

Shortlisted scripts will receive a professionally directed reading at the Mercury Theatre.

Long-listed scripts will receive written feedback from our panel of readers.

KEY DATES

Submissions accepted: Tue 3 January – Fri 31 March 2017 at 5pm

Winner and Runners Up announced: Fri 2 June 2017

New Work Festival, including play-readings of shortlisted scripts: w/c 3 July 2017

HOW TO ENTER

Please fill in this form by 5pm on Fri 31 March 2017 and send a Word/PDF version of your entry to .

Late entries will not be considered.

RULES

  • Writers must be 16+yrs
  • We will only accept one script per writer.
  • Scripts must be full-length (approximately 90 minutes+), and suitable for production in The Mercury Theatre Studio.
  • There is no minimum or maximum cast size, but entrants should bear in mind that the play should be suitable for the Mercury Studio space.
  • Scripts must be complete. We will not accept partial scripts, outlines, or treatments.
  • Scripts must be in English.
  • Scripts must be previously un-produced and unpublished.
  • Scripts must be wholly the original work the writer.
  • Scripts should be typed, printed, single-sided, with pages numbered and securely fastened.
  • Where possible we would also like Word/PDF version of your script.
  • Entries must be accompanied by a completed application form.
  • Scripts MUST NOT DISPLAY the writer’s name or address or other identifying marks anywhere on the title page, or in the text.
  • Entries from Mercury Theatre / University of Essex staff involved in the management/administration of the Mercury Playwriting Prize will not be accepted.
  • Scripts from students at The University Of Essex will be simultaneously entered into The Mercury Student Playwriting Competition. The five best student scripts will receive their own day of readings within the New Work Festival, and the best student script will receive a prize of £200. Being shortlisted for / winning the Mercury Student Playwriting Competition does not prohibit consideration for the main Mercury Playwriting Prize.
  • The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  • By entering the Mercury Playwriting Prize 2017, the writer agrees to grant the Mercury Theatre a 1 year option to license their script for production if shortlisted.
  • The winning writer will be offered a production in the Mercury Theatre Studio in good faith – either of their winning script, or of a new play written whilst on attachment at the Mercury Theatre. Final decision on whether to produce a script from the winning writer lies with the Mercury’s Artistic Director.

MERCURY PLAYWRITING PRIZE 2017

Entry Form

Name
Address
Email
Telephone
Script Title

□ I have read and agree to abide by the prize rules

□ I confirm that I am currently living, working or studying inBedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, East Sussex, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk, Oxfordshire, Suffolk, Surrey or West Sussex.

□ Please tick this box if you do NOT want to be added to our mailing list

Signature

Please print a copy of this form and return it with the paper copy of your script to:

Essex Playwriting Competition, Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Essex CO1 1PT

You can also send Word/PDF versions of your entry to:

Closing Date – 5pmFri 31 March 2017