UK theatre has a new initiative aimed at the commercial sector. The Mainstage Prize, a newly announced £10,000 playwriting award, has launched with a clear mandate: to discover and develop new, large-scale theatrical work capable of filling major venues. Writers keen to submit their scripts can find full application details at the foot of this article.
Founded by producer Sophie Cairns and supported by London’s Riverside Studios, the prize responds directly to a documented gap in the industry. At a time when regional and West End theatres are actively seeking original plays with wide audience appeal, the award aims to support ambitious work that can sustain long runs and national tours.
To focus submissions, the prize will dictate a specific guiding theme or genre each year. For its inaugural 2027 cycle, the chosen genre is horror.
UK theatre has a new initiative aimed at the commercial sector. The Mainstage Prize, a newly announced £10,000 playwriting award, has launched with a clear mandate…
“By focusing on horror this year, we are leaning into a genre that is fundamentally theatrical and undeniably in the zeitgeist,” Cairns notes. She points to a clear audience appetite for the “visceral, high-stakes experience” that large-scale horror productions can provide.
An impressive Judging panel
The judging panel is chaired by Pippa Hill, former Head of New Work at the Royal Shakespeare Company, whose dramaturgical credits include commercial successes like My Neighbour Totoro and Hamnet. Joining her as strategic advisor is Ellie Keel, founder of the Women’s Prize for Playwriting and the youngest recipient of The Stage’s Producer of the Year Award. Keel brings formidable commercial experience to the table, having produced over twenty-five new plays across venues including the Royal Court, the Southbank Centre, and the Barbican. Nottingham Playhouse associate Laura Turner joins as Literary Manager to oversee submissions. A dramaturg and playwright with over 15 years’ experience spanning the BBC, BFI, and the Almeida, Turner will manage the shortlisting process before the panel convenes.
Hill observes that “now, more than ever, is the moment to back UK playwrights and to encourage them to write ambitious, original big new plays.” She states the panel is specifically searching for writers who take bold approaches to the genre and who understand how to “confidently hold a large audience rapt.”
“…now, more than ever, is the moment to back UK playwrights”
Pippa Hill – Chair of Judges Panel
Beyond the £10,000 cash award, the overall winner will receive dedicated mentorship sessions with members of the judging panel to further develop their script. Before the final decision, three finalists will have their unproduced plays presented as rehearsed readings for both the public and industry professionals at Riverside Studios in early 2027.
How to Apply: The Mainstage Prize 2027
- Eligibility: The prize is open to writers based in the UK and Ireland.
- Experience: Applicants must have had at least one professional production of their work running for a minimum of two weeks.
- The Script: Submissions must be an unproduced, full-length play fitting the horror genre.
- Timeline: The submission window opens on the 15th of May and closes on the 1st of August.
- Further Information: Visit mainstageprize.com or follow @mainstageprize on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok
Featured Image: Pippa Hill c Beatrice Updegraff
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