Six Writers for Liverpool - John McArdle announces winners of the BBC writersroom competition
Six Writers for Liverpool were announced by BBC writersroom on 26 February at the Unity Theatre, Liverpool. The awards were presented by actor John McArdle, one of Liverpools favourite sons and currently playing the part of Jim Oulton in Mersey Beat, the new BBC drama which has been commissioned for a second series.
The six succesful rising talents each receive £2,500 and mentoring help - and a further five budding Merseyside writers will be given cash and mentoring help to assist their development.
BBC writersroom originally launched Five Writers for Liverpool last October at a packed lunch-time event at the Playhouse Theatre.
By New Years Day - the deadline day - more than 250 submissions had been received from Liverpool writers. The strongest candidates ranged from the raw talent of a student to older writers still developing their skills.
In the end, BBC writersroom couldnt eliminate any further and decided to award six bursaries instead of five.
The six writers are:
* Carol Cullington, of whom judge Ruth Caleb - Executive Producer BBC Films - said: "Her dialogue and characterisation are so strong and warm, she should be writing for BBC Series, now." Mentor to be announced.
* Katie Douglas, of whom judge Carlton Dixon - BBC Comedy Producer - said: "Scumsville made me laugh loud and often, which is astonishing for such a young writer." Kates mentor will be Carmel Morgan.
* Robert Farquhar, of whom judge Stephen Butchard - writer and creator of A&E - said: "This is sophisticated and mature writing that held me throughout." Mentor will be Stephen Butchard.
* Gareth Lemon, of whom judge Melanie Harris - Project Manager, BBC Northern Exposure - said: "Energetic, dark, ambitious, believable and crazy at the same time." Gareths mentor will be Jim Poyser.
* Ann Monks, of whom judge Ruth Caleb said: "She has a real distinctive voice and a tremendous understanding of atmosphere." Anns mentor will be Neil McKay.
* Esther Wilson, of whom judge Robert Delamere - Associate Director at the Everyman Theatre - said: "Her writing is authentic, beautiful and fully achieved." Esthers mentor will be Willy Russell.
The winners all receive £2,500 and have a mentoring relationship with a writer and a BBC producer. BBC writersroom is also handing out development awards of £500 each to a further five writers: Nick Leather, Martin OBrien, Stephen OBrien, Mark Roberts and Andrew Sherlock.
At the event on 26 February there was a script-in-hand performance of Eyes Down, a half-hour sitcom currently in development with BBC ONE, by new Liverpool writer Angela Clarke.
Five Writers for Liverpool was the first competition of the BBC northern exposure programme, an initiative to invest in new voices across the North over the next two years.
Other writing competitions are underway in Bradford (Short Range - ten minute films), Leeds (Leeds Story - 25 minute single television dramas) and Newcastle (Falling About - half hour comedies).
| 
