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GEOFFREY WHITWORTH
PLAYWRITING AWARD

The prestigious Geoffrey Whitworth Trophy is awarded annually to the writer of an original play debuting in the preliminary round of the one-act festival competitions organised by the All-England Theatre Festival, the Association of Ulster Drama Festivals, the Drama Association of Wales and the Scottish Community Drama Association.

 

The trophy is awarded in memory of Geoffrey Whitworth, (1883-1951) who was an English lecturer and author, who founded the British Drama League in 1919. This led to the founding of the annual One- Act Play Festivals that continue throughout the UK today. 

 

He encouraged original writing with the philosophy that writers would benefit from seeing their plays performed and adjudicated. The competition is administered by the Scottish Community Drama Association on behalf of the UKCommunity Drama Festival Federation, www.britishfinal.org.uk Charity no. SC045173

 

The winning play may be performed at the British Final of One-Act Plays.

Writing in Notepad

ENTRY CRITERIA

Plays must be entered for performance in the preliminary round of the AETF, AUDF, DAW or SCDA

One-Act Festivals.

 

Plays must not have been publicly performed or published prior to their first performance in the One-

Act Festival.

 

If not submitted by the author, the author’s written permission must be obtained.
 

HOW TO ENTER

Play scripts must be accompanied by a completed entry form and emailed to SCDA at hq@drama.scot,
by 31st March 2025. Receipt will be acknowledged by email.

 

The play script must contain a brief synopsis and character list. It should be submitted as a pdf file in A4
format and printed in a clear typeface with numbered pages.

JUDGING

Plays are judged on reading not performance. All scripts will be independently assessed, and feedback
will be provided. The judge’s decision is final.

 

Copyright of all plays entered will remain with the author. Winning plays which are subsequently
published must contain the acknowledgement, ‘Winner of the Geoffrey Whitworth Competition’.

 

The winning play will be given an offer of publication by Cressrelles Publishing Co. Ltd.
If you have any queries relating to the competition, please contact SCDA’s National Secretary, Morna
Barron, at secretary@drama.scot or phone 01561 320346.

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