Search for amateur playwriting talent close to naming its winners

A new competition to find untapped playwriting talent in Norfolk is nearing its final “whowunit” chapter.

The search for amateur drama authors is being run by Sheringham Little Theatre, led by its president actor Suranne Jones and writer producer Laurence Akers, whose company TeamAkers are patrons at the venue.

Thirty eight people entered the first year of the event, which will culminate on August 10 when the winning two plays will have a prestigious live reading by professional actors followed by a live discussion.

The brief was amateur writers to pen an hour-long play with a coastal theme with no more than six characters.

One of the final judging panel, North Norfolk-based scriptwriter and poet James McDermott said: “We’ll be looking for stories with a strong sense of Norfolk, well-rounded active characters, that makes us think, laugh or re-see something, which feels like live theatre rather a radio play or novel.

“This really gives opportunities to new writers and develop local talent,” added James, whose own playwriting career began nearly 10 years ago as an amateur while a university student. He is now  an EastEnders scriptwriter, and will be touring two new plays a comedy drama Grief Café and Jab, about the effect the Covid lockdown has on a couple’s marriage.

He is joined on the panel by theatre commercial manager Hannah Smith, professional actor Ryan Starling, producer Simon Moorhead and audience member and amateur actor Sarah Westlake.

Theatre director Debbie Thompson said she was delighted with the high number and standard of entries, several of which had picked up on the topical coastal theme of erosion and climate change.

The two winners of the Coastlife Sheringham Little Theatre Playwriting Prize will be showcased on Sunday August 10, one at 2.30pm and the other at 7.30pm. After readings by professional actors, Suranne and Laurence will lead a critique discussion helped by James McDermott, and Simon Moorhead who will also give an overview of other entries.

Tickets for the events are available here or the box office on 01263 822347.