From more than 180 world-wide entries three nominations from playwrights based in Scotland, England and the United States have been selected for the shortlist of this year’s James Tait Black Prize for Drama.
The plays, Tomorrow Come Today by Gordon Dahlquist, first produced by Undermain Theatre, Texas; The James Plays by Rona Munro, presented by National Theatre of Scotland, Edinburgh International Festival and National Theatre of Great Britain and Incognito by Nick Payne, a Live Theatre, Nabokov & High Tide Festival Theatre production in association with The North Wall, cover the subjects of body-swapping, the theft of Albert Einstein’s brain and Medieval Scottish kings.
The inclusion of the prize’s category for drama has only been in existence since 2012 and its £10,000 prize is presented by the University of Edinburgh in association with Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland and the Traverse Theatre.
The drama prize is judged by postgraduate students and academics from the University of Edinburgh. Judges award the prize to the best new play in English, Scots or Gaelic, which they consider demonstrates an original theatrical voice and makes a significant contribution to the art form.
Regius Professor of Rhetoric and English Literature at the University of Edinburgh, Greg Walker and Chair of the Judges for the James Tait Black Prizes said, “The James Tait Black Prizes are renowned for celebrating the very best in literature. Now in its third year, the drama award has established a strong reputation for showcasing some of the world’s finest playwrights. … We are thrilled to celebrate these playwrights’ work during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this August.”
Previous winners include Rory Mullarkey’s first full-length play Cannibals (2014) and Tim Price for his acclaimed drama The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning (2013) and this year’s winner will be announced at a ceremony on Monday, 24 August in the Traverse Theatre, where readings of each play will be delivered by professional actors.
Traverse Theatre Executive Producer, Linda Crooks said, “It is with pride that the Traverse Theatre Company once again hosts the prestigious James Tait Black Award. We are delighted to be involved in this celebration of the best of contemporary drama and to honour these leading and inspirational playwrights.”
The event is open to the public and tickets can be booked online.
Click here to book tickets for the James Tait Black Prize for Drama Award Ceremony: http://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event-detail/621/james-tait-black-pr…