About The Prize

At a time when theatres are actively seeking work that resonates widely and revitalises attendance, the Prize supports writers who think big: plays with emotional weight, narrative drive, and the power to fill a room. The Mainstage Prize celebrates theatrical storytelling with scale — bold characters, gripping plots, and ideas that spark public conversation.

Each year, the Mainstage Prize will award one playwright a £10,000 cash prize, a rehearsed reading of their play, and mentorship opportunities with members of the judging panel.