Sherman Theatre has announced the name of the winner of the Richard Carne Award, marking the final phase of its 2016 New Welsh Playwrights Programme.
The Award consists of £1000 prize money and a further six months development support from the Sherman Theatre.
The Sherman Theatre’s New Welsh Playwright’s Programme was launched in April 2016, supported by the Richard Carne Trust to develop the work and practice of Welsh or Wales-based writers.
The winner is South Wales playwright Chris Harris and the six month’s development support will culminate in a reading of his work Heterochromia in the Sherman Theatre’s Studio in April 2017.
He said, “’I had never anticipated being the recipient of such a prestigious award. Now, with the invaluable tools and knowledge gained on the programme, equipped with just enough confidence, I can continue to make the work the best that it can be. I’m looking forward with both nerves and excitement at what lies in store…’
Following its launch, the programme received over 100 applications with fourteen writers selected to attend eight weekly sessions designed to develop skills in writing for theatre led by award-winning playwright Brad Birch.
The remaining two shortlisted scripts by Jacob Hodgkinson and Tracey Harris were awarded a further £500 each by the Richard Carne Trust in recognition of the high quality of work submitted for the prize.