Papatango has announced the return of the Papatango Young Playwrights’ Award for its fifth year, and second year at Park Theatre, celebrating the achievements of nine exceptional young writers selected from 482 participants in the company’s 2025-26 GoWrite Programme.
The invitation-only award ceremony will take place at Park Theatre in Finsbury Park on Wednesday 15 July, with the shortlisted scripts showcased on the venue’s main stage, Park200. Three winners will be announced during the event.
The shortlisted plays are Yum by Lorenzo of Harris Lowe Academy Willesden, Illogical by Hayden of Hanham Woods Academy, Can I Say Goodbye Now? by Angelina of Hammersmith & Fulham Mencap, Two Soldiers by Ruben of Frome College, The Wall in Walthamstow by Simra of Eden Girls’ School, To Burn or Not to Burn by Amelia of Half Moon Theatre Group, Jack & Jill by Imogen of Holyrood Academy, Statement of (Redacted) Regarding Sinister Happenings by Maia Grant of the Pavilion Study Centre Meadway, and Stand Up by John of Friern Barnet School.
The Young Playwrights’ Award forms part of Papatango’s GoWrite programme, which was named Outstanding Drama Initiative at the 2026 Music and Drama Education Awards.
GoWrite supports young people in state schools, Pupil Referral Units, SEN settings and community groups for young refugees, young people with disabilities and those with care experience across London and the South West. Participants create original monologues which are then performed and published by Papatango.
This year’s nine shortlisted writers, aged between 11 and 16, were selected from more than 480 scripts produced across 29 participating settings. The programme is free to all partners and participants.
Actor Josh Finan will host this year’s ceremony. A BAFTA nominee, Finan is known for his work in The Responder, Baby Reindeer and How To Get To Heaven From Belfast. He previously collaborated with Papatango when he starred in the world premiere of Shook, Samuel Bailey’s 2019 Papatango New Writing Prize-winning play.
Kate Ereira, Papatango’s Creative Learning & Engagement Producer, said: “We are enormously proud of the writers whose work has been selected for this year’s Papatango Young Playwrights’ Award. After spending this year producing and publishing the work of hundreds of young people, many in challenging circumstances or facing growing social and economic barriers to theatre, we know how many incisive and important stories belonging to the next generation are yet to be told. We’re very grateful to our supporters at Nick Hern Books and Park Theatre for their help further amplifying some of these vital voices. We hope this celebratory showcase is just the beginning of their journeys in theatre.”
Josh Finan added, “It’s a thrill to celebrate such brilliant young playwrights. Having worked with Papatango as an actor in world premieres by debut writers, I know what a difference the next generation of stories and storytellers make. And I am blown away by what these nine funny, wise, mischievous writers have to say.”
Papatango is dedicated to discovering and championing new playwrights through free opportunities across the UK and Ireland. Its programmes have helped launch numerous award-winning writers while supporting more than 22,000 grassroots writers and community participants through accessible creative initiatives.
More information can be found here.
