‘Radio drama has always been known in England as a nursery for new talent. This is for reasons of cost, of course, but it’s also in the risk-taking, writer-friendly nature of the medium. Radio drama can ... enhance the cultural life of any country and give energy, focus and direction to its sense of cultural identity.’ Tina Pepler, Radio Dramatist and Workshop Leader Follow the hunt for the finest writers, new and established, from across the globe. Together with the BBC, we are running an international competition for new plays written for the radio. The closing date for entries was 30th April 2003, and then the plays were judged and the short-listed entries were announced by the BBC in July. This is the eighth biennial International Playwriting Competition run by the BBC World Service and the British Council. The competition is open to everyone - except for UK residents. We have two top prizes this year for: - Best play by a writer with English as their second language.
- Best play by a writer with English as their first language.
The two overall winners will receive: - £2,500 sterling prize-money.
- A trip to London to see their play being recorded for global broadcast and to attend a prize-giving evening.
Five runners up, one from each World Service region, will each receive a a short-wave radio. And the schedule? - 4th October 2002 - Competition launches
- 30th April 2003 - Closing date for entries
- July 2003 - Shortlisted plays announced on websites
- September 2003 - Winners announced
- October 2003 - Two overall winners travel to London
- November 2003 - Plays broadcast on BBC World Service Radio
'Calling new writers, went the outcry on airwaves all over South Africa. The BBC were coming to town to give workshops on writing plays for the radio…' You can read more in Discovering the World of Radio Drama by Cathy Gomez in the latest On Tour magazine. Download On Tour 21 as a PDF and turn to page 31. Read more details of the International Radio Playwriting Competition and other BBC competitions. |
