by Sam Grabiner
'Boys on the Verge of Tears'
WINNER
Verity Bargate Award
Character 7 is delighted to sponsor the VERITY BARGATE AWARD alongside Soho Theatre. The VBA looks for extraordinary voices and unique styles which stand out from the crowd and tell inspiring, unheard stories.
BACKGROUND
Established in 1982 to honour the co-founder of Soho Theatre, the award funds the commissioning of a play to be produced at the theatre.
Past winners include Vicky Jones, Thomas Eccleshare, Insook Chappell, Matt Charman, Bonnie Greer and Toby Whithouse.
Recent judges include Russell T Davies, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Arinze Kene, Lolita Chakrabarti and Laura Wade.
2022
SAM GRABINER
The 2022 award was judged by a panel of industry experts including past Soho playwrights Theresa Ikoko (‘Girls’, 2015, Soho Theatre), James Graham (‘Tory Boyz’, 2008, and ‘Monster Raving Loony’, 2016, Soho Theatre) and Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (‘Mum’, 2021, Soho Theatre), as well as April De Angelis (‘Jumpy’, 2011, Royal Court and 2012, West End). The award is chaired by film and television producer, Character 7’s Stephen Garrett.
SHORTLISTED
A YOUNG MAN COMES
Alan Mahon
EVERYTHING I'M THINKING ALL OF THE TIME
Sam Ward
PORN PLAY
Sophie Chetin-Leuner
SAMUEL TAKES A BREAK IN MALE DUNGEON N°5 AFTER A LONG BUT GENERALLY SUCCESSFUL DAY OF TOURS
Rhianna Ilube
WORKING MEN
Benjamin Kuffuor
by Amanda Wilkin
'Shedding a Skin'
WINNER
2020
The 2020 award was judged by a panel of industry experts including former Soho writers Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Laura Wade, screenwriter Russell T Davies, actress and playwright Lolita Chakrabarti and Character 7’s Stephen Garrett. From a record number of 1493 entries, a longlist of 20 inspiring and fabulously imagined emerging voices, and a shortlist of seven incredibly eclectic new plays, Amanda Wilkin was announced as the winner of the Verity Bargate Award 2020 with her captivating play 'Shedding A Skin.'
AMANDA WILKIN
“Amanda Wilkin gives a cracking performance in her richly written show about growing to know yourself.”
★ ★ ★ ★
- THE STAGE
“A sensation.”
★ ★ ★ ★
- THE INDEPENDENT
“A shrewd and zingy comedy.”
★ ★ ★ ★
- THE TELEGRAPH
“I was not prepared to be kidnapped by a play and a voice so completely as I was by Amanda Wilkin’s 'Shedding A Skin'. I’m excited to see this profound, funny, modern, stark and hopeful play performed at Soho Theatre. Then of course, after that, just everything Amanda puts her pen to!”
- PHOEBE WALLER-BRIDGE
“Amanda Wilkin gives a cracking performance in her richly written show about growing to know yourself.”
★ ★ ★ ★
- THE STAGE
“A sensation.”
★ ★ ★ ★
- THE INDEPENDENT
“A shrewd and zingy comedy.”
★ ★ ★ ★
- THE TELEGRAPH
“I was not prepared to be kidnapped by a play and a voice so completely as I was by Amanda Wilkin’s 'Shedding A Skin'. I’m excited to see this profound, funny, modern, stark and hopeful play performed at Soho Theatre. Then of course, after that, just everything Amanda puts her pen to!”
- PHOEBE WALLER BRIDGE
