BBC’s The One Show – As You Write It – Your Play on Stage Competition

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What is As You Write It – Your Play on Stage?

At a time when we are all missing out on the magic of going to the theatre, The One Show, along with The Shakespeare North Playhouse is launching an exciting new playwriting competition, giving children and young people across the UK the opportunity to see their ideas come to life on stage. We hope this will help inspire the next generation of playwrights as well as encouraging a love of theatre and the arts in children and young people.

The competition is open to all children and young people aged between 7 and 16 years old. It opens for entries at 7pm on Thursday 25th June 2020. The deadline for entering the competition is just before midnight on Monday 31st August 2020.

All you need to enter is an idea for a play, a short description of up to four of the main characters and the first few opening lines. You’ll also need to tell us what having the opportunity to write your play and have it performed on stage would mean to you.

What is the prize?

From the ideas submitted, three finalists from each of the three categories will be chosen and announced on The One Show during autumn 2020. They will then have the opportunity to develop their ideas with professionals and write their final play.

A winner will be selected from each category based on their final play. Winners will be announced on The One Show in early 2021 and an excerpt from their play will be shown on the programme. The final three winners will receive a special award and have their play performed at The Shakespeare North Playhouse when it opens in 2022.

The development of The Shakespeare North Playhouse is being overseen by The Shakespeare North Trust. It is currently being constructed in Prescot on Merseyside. Once built, it will complete the UK’s Shakespearean triangle – London – Stratford-upon-Avon – Prescot. Alongside a flexible 350 seat theatre, the Playhouse will also provide educational facilities, a visitor centre and additional performance spaces including an outdoor performance garden.

Categories:

Entry categories are divided by age group as follows:

  • ACT ONE – 7 – 10 year olds
  • ACT TWO – 11 – 13 year olds
  • ACT THREE – 14 – 16 year olds

The entry must be submitted into the correct age category according to your age on 31st August 2020, which is the competition closing date.

How to Apply:

Make your submission using the ACT ONE online entry form, ACT TWO online entry form or ACT THREE online entry form as early as possible before the deadline. Please make sure you have all the information outlined below before you start your form. ALL entries must be submitted by a parent or guardian.

More details can be found here.