The Royal Court Theatre has revealed the six winners of its first-ever Young Playwrights Award, celebrating the creativity and talent of writers aged 13–18.
The winning plays will be showcased in the Young Playwrights Award Festival, taking place from 10–12 July 2025 at the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs. The plays will also be published in an anthology by Nick Hern Books.
Launched to support playwriting among secondary school students—where it is not a compulsory part of the curriculum—the award marks the beginning of a nationwide initiative.
The selected plays span a wide range of genres, from comedy and family drama to surrealism and spoken word. Audiences can expect stories featuring ghosts, magical libraries, estranged aunts, and omniscient voice assistants.
Over 150 entries were submitted from across London. A shortlist of 21 was chosen by the Royal Court Theatre and reviewed by a judging panel. The festival will feature readings from each age category and include an awards ceremony.
Schools are invited to attend the readings for just £1 per ticket, making the event accessible to young audiences. The award is led by Beth Flintoff, Associate Playwright and Young Writers Associate at the Royal Court.
Beth Flintoff said:
“We were so impressed by the imagination, creativity and writing talent on display in all the entries we received, it has been a real joy reading them. Congratulations to the shortlisted writers, whose outstanding plays have surprised and moved us, thrilled us and made us laugh. A huge thank you to everyone who entered, for trusting us with your writing and making this such an impressive first year for the Young Playwrights Award.”
David Byrne, Artistic Director and CEO, added:
“The buzz in the building as we’ve read these incredible plays has been amazing. I can’t wait to share these brilliant plays more widely. If this is the future of theatre, count me in.”
Winning Plays
Aged 13–15
- Happily Haunted by Aasiya Nsubuga
A heartfelt and funny coming-of-age story about memory, grief, and the friends we carry with us—whether they’re really there or not. - Hello, My Name Is… by Marcos Byrne
A powerful blend of storytelling and spoken word following a 15-year-old boy navigating exams, school corridors, and family expectations. - Library of the Imagination by Leon Chin-Kemp
A magical adventure begins when 12-year-old Alex stumbles into a library that holds every thought ever thought.
Aged 16–18
- Bad Hair Day by Sapphire Naggie
A bold and hilarious exploration of identity, beauty, and belonging through the lens of Black girlhood. - Fox Hunt by George McAree
A surreal and unflinching portrait of family dynamics and gender hypocrisy, set during a tense weekend visit. - Godot’s To-Do List by Leo Simpe-Asante
A sharp and unsettling comedy about a man and his bossy voice assistant, exploring the chaos of being alive.
More information can be found here.
