BBC World Service and British Council announce winners of the 25th International Radio Playwriting Competition
BBC World Service and the British Council, with co-producer The Open University and in partnership with Commonwealth Writers, have today announced the winners of the 25th International Radio Playwriting Competition.
Published: 25 August 2016
These are remarkable plays, each exploring very contemporary themes and reflect the extraordinary range of ideas and dramatic approaches shown by the many entries we received from around the world
Joanne Gutknecht from Canada won the English as a First Language category for her script Playing With Fire, while Pericles Silveira from Brazil triumphed in the English as a Second Language category with his play The Day Dad Stole A Bus.
As part of their prize, both Joanne and Pericles will visit the UK later this year to attend a prize-giving ceremony on 26 October at Marlborough House, London. Whilst in the country, they will experience their winning radio scripts being recorded at the BBC ahead of their broadcast on the BBC World Service in 2017.
Erupu Jude from Uganda was awarded the Georgi Markov prize for his play Darkness At Dawn. The unique prize - which honours the script with the most outstanding potential from the competition’s shortlist - was set up in memory of BBC World Service journalist Georgi Markov, who championed freedom of creative expression. Erupu will also travel to the UK to attend the prize-giving ceremony and spend two weeks at the BBC where he will be mentored by BBC Radio Drama and BBC World Service.
This year over 1,000 entries were received from a record 112 countries. Previous winners have included both new and established playwrights, with the competition providing a platform for success elsewhere. Last year’s English as a Second Language winner, Virginia Jekanyika, has since moved from Zimbabwe to the UK and a film of her winning play is currently in development.
The winning plays:
English as a First Language
Playing With Fire by Joanne Gutknecht
As a wildfire speeds towards their remote house in rural Canada, passion and scandal rages in Daniel’s parents’ marriage.
English as a Second Language
The Day Dad Stole a Bus by Pericles Silveira
Nayara’s father wants her to see her grandmother’s house after the dam disaster in Bento Rodrigues. But why has he stolen a bus to take her there – and why do things keep disappearing?
Georgi Markov Prize
Darkness at Dawn by Erupu Jude
Chadwong wrestles with his conscience after his father is killed in a brutal attack on their village. Will his friend persuade him to join the Arrow Boys – and fight?
The judging panel included: award-winning playwright, Charlotte Jones; Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre, Madani Younis; and actress Pippa Bennett-Warner; alongside BBC World Service Senior Commissioning Editor, Steve Titherington; Director of Drama and Dance at the British Council, Neil Webb; and Executive Producer of BBC Radio Drama, Marion Nancarrow.
Playwright Charlotte Jones says: “I have been writing for 25 years, but to hear these new and original voices with extraordinary stories to tell was incredibly humbling and shows how important this competition is.”
Steve Titherington, BBC World Service Senior Commissioning Editor, says: "These are remarkable plays, each exploring very contemporary themes, and reflect the extraordinary range of ideas and dramatic approaches shown by the many entries we received from around the world.”
For more details on the competition, visit: www.bbcworldservice.com/radioplay
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