We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Papatango, alongside the launch of their 2024 New Writing Prize, which will see the winning play co-produced by Park Theatre in a full run in Park200 in 2025.

Judged anonymously, the Papatango New Writing Prize was the UK’s first, and remains the only annual, opportunity guaranteeing a new writer a full production – for 2025 in Park 200 at Park Theatre, publication by Nick Hern Books, a royalty of 8% of the box office, and a £7,500 commission with full developmental support.  

In addition, every entrant receives feedback on their script – a commitment made by no other company, especially significant as the Prize averages more submissions on a yearly basis than any other playwriting award.  

“As an off West End theatre that presents a majority of new plays, this partnership represents a terrific new partnership for us at Park Theatre. Papatango have an excellent track record of discovering and developing writers and we’re excited to team up with the team to nurture new and emerging talent and provide a platform for the work on our stage.” Jez Bond, Artistic Director, Park Theatre

“Launching the 16th annual Prize, as we prepare to produce the debut script by last year's winner Laura Waldren in two cities and make a short film by another outstanding 2023 entrant, Josh Barrow, makes us realise how far Papatango has come. That the 2024 Prize will see us commit to premiere a new play by an emerging writer on our biggest stage to date, thanks to the new partnership with Park Theatre, shows how much further we can still go. New plays and new artists don't need to be seen as a 'risk' - their stories deserve to be presented with the same ambition and the same confidence as any other writer's. We are more determined than ever to present the next generation of playwrights on the stages they deserve and need to sustain a career.” Papatango’s George Turvey and Chris Foxon

Find out more about the Papatango New Writing Prize here