Bruntwood have announced the launch of The 2011 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, in partnership with Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre.
The Bruntwood Prize is a national playwriting competition, open for entries from 31st January to 6th June. The Prize was started in 2005 and since then has had nine prize winners, over 3000 entries and six full theatre productions.
The competition was launched at the Royal Exchange theatre on Monday 31st January with the announcement of the judging panel including, actors Sue Johnston (The Royle Family, Brookside) and Maxine Peake (Shameless, Dinnerladies), Royal Exchange Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom and Bruntwood Chairman Michael Oglesby CBE DL.
Speaking at the launch of the 2011 competition Mike Oglesby said: “Bruntwood is proud to continue to support the arts during challenging economic times. Without new works, the theatre would quickly cease to be a truly creative art form and through The Bruntwood Prize we are able to play our part by encouraging and uncovering great new plays and writers”.
The launch of the 2011 competition was followed by the world premiere of Mogadishu by Vivienne Franzmann, winner of the 2008 Bruntwood Prize.
Bruntwood’s support of The Bruntwood Prize stems from their belief that businesses have an obligation to invest in the cities where they do business. Each year they donate 10% of profits to arts, charity, civic and environmental activity with a focus on seeking out and supporting innovative talent.