George Devine
Award
The award is recognised as one of the most prestigious for new writing.
It was set up in 1966 as a memorial to the life and talent of George Devine, a Director and Actor who launched a Writers’ movement that revolutionised theatre.
The award of £15,000 invites submissions annually from Theatres, Organisations and Agents around the UK for an original new stage play from a promising playwright.
'Winning this award, in this year, for this story means everything.’
Daniel Ward (2020 Award Recipient)
Winner 2023
TIFE KUSORO
‘I’m so grateful to be receiving the George Devine Award. I’ve put so much work and love into this play over the past few years and it means so much to win this award at this time in my life. I feel honoured to have been shortlisted alongside such great writers and the award has given me a much-needed boost of hope and self-belief that will help me to keep writing.’‘
Director Roxana Silbert said of the panel’s decision:
‘All the writers on this year's shortlist inspired us with their imagination, theatricality and skill. They encompassed an extraordinary range of genres and interests and what they shared was an outstanding command of language, a brilliant theatrical ambition and deep passion for their stories.
This year’s winner of the 2023 George Devine Award, G, captivated every member of the panel. Tife Kusoro is a genuinely unique voice. Simultaneously epic and personal, G is a bold, visceral play which tackles a difficult story in a theatrical style that is enthralling and inhabited with beguiling characters.
The panel is also delighted to award a special commendation to 1536 by Ava Pickett for its inventiveness, playfulness and savage undercurrent.
It was a privilege to spend time with all the plays and it has invigorated our excitement for the future of new work in the UK.’
Shortlist 2023
AVA PICKETT / SPECIAL MENTION
Ava Pickett's work is for Stage and Screen. She was staff writer on Hulu's The Great (series 3), has written for Sky's Brassic and is currently writing on Lisa McGee's new comedy thriller for Channel 4. She was part of the Almeida Genesis Emerging Playwright's programme for 2022.
GEORGIA BRUCE
Georgia Bruce is a writer and actor from London. Time, Like the Sea was their debut play. They are currently developing work at Theatre503 and at the Almeida Theatre as part of the Genesis New Writers Programme.
SAMI IBRAHIM
Sami is a playwright from London. Credits include A Sudden Violent Burst of Rain (Paines Plough / Gate Theatre); two Palestinians go dogging (Royal Court), Metamorphoses (Shakespeare’s Globe / Seattle Rep), 50 Berkeley Square (Radio 4).
SHAHID IQBAL KHAN
Shahid Iqbal Khan’s work includes: Love Across The Ages (BBC Radio 4, Afternoon Drama) and 10 Nights (Bush Theatre). He is on the Almeida Theatre Genesis New Writers Programme and is also a recipient of the National Theatre’s Peter Shaffer commission with the Octagon Theatre, Bolton.
SOMEBODY JONES
Somebody Jones is a playwright and dramaturg, whose work celebrates and champions Black culture. In 2023, she won the Tony Craze Award for her play, ALL MY FRIENDS ARE DEAD.
CORDELIA LYNN
Cordelia received the Berwin Lee Award 2020 and the Pinter Commission 2017. Like Flesh, her opera with Sivan Eldar, won the Fedora Opera Prize 2021. She is currently on attachment at the National Theatre, and under commission to Headlong.
BEA ROBERTS
Bea Roberts is a multi-award winning playwright and screenwriter from Devon. Plays include And Then Come The Nightjars, Infinity Pool and Ivy Tiller; Vicar’s Daughter, Squirrel Killer for the RSC.
SAM WARD
Sam Ward is a playwright and founder of theatre company YESYESNONO. In 2022 he was shortlisted for the Verity Bargate Award and is currently under commission to the Soho Theatre.
Selection Panel 2023
JUSTIN AUDIBERT
Justin is the Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre.
Recent directing credits include: Anansi The Spider; The Canterville Ghost; Aesop’s Fables; Beowulf and My Mother Medea (Unicorn Theatre); The Child In The Snow (Wilton’s Music Hall); The Box of Delights; The Taming Of The Shrew; Snow in Midsummer; The Jew of Malta (Royal Shakespeare Company); Macbeth; The Winter’s Tale (National Theatre).
JOHNNY FLYNN
Johnny is a musician, playwright, composer and actor. New writing has been central to his work in theatre with credits including The Low Road, The Heretic and the multi award-winning original productions of Jerusalem and Hangmen (all Royal Court). He appeared as Richard Burton in Sam Mendes’ critically-acclaimed production of The Motive and the Cue which opens in the West End this Winter.
NIMMO ISMAIL
Nimmo is a theatre director who specialises in new work and co-creation. She is Sky Arts Artistic Associate at Theatre Royal Stratford East 2022/2023 and was named one of The Stage 25 in 2022
REBEKAH MURRELL
Rebekah is an actor and director from London. She is passionate about new writing, and has appeared in the premieres of celebrated contemporary plays including Nine Night (National Theatre), Whitewash (Soho), Glass. Kill. Bluebeard. Imp and Scenes with Girls (Royal Court). She directed Carnival epic J’Ouvert at Theatre 503 which transferred to the West End in 2021.
NICK PAYNE
Nick is a playwright and screenwriter. His theatre work has played in London’s West End and Broadway garnering sell out audiences and multiple awards. His film We Live in Time, directed by John Crowley and starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh will be released in 2024.
He is working on film, television and theatre projects in the UK and US.
ROXANA SILBERT
Roxana Silbert directs for stage, screen and audio. She works mainly on original drama. She is currently Artistic Associate at Theatre Royal Stratford East. Previously, she has held the posts of Artistic Director of Hampstead Theatre; Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre; Associate Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company; Artistic Director of Paines Plough Theatre Company; Literary Director at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh and Associate Director of the Royal Court.