The company has announced the changes in response to the growing need to support new writing.
The theatre company has announced that it has overhauled a major remodelling of their industry-leading Papatango New Writing Prize to respond to the growing need to foster and support new writing.
Talking about the news, Papatango’s George Turvey and Chris Foxon said: “With opportunities for playwrights – especially the unknown but brilliant debutants we have such a track record launching – disappearing, we are proud to have found a way not merely to sustain the Papatango Prize but to expand it. This year: doubles the number of productions; doubles the number of commissions; adds extra cash awards and in-depth CPD; and continues its unmatched offer of feedback for everyone. With productions of new plays dropping by 30% since 2019, it is more vital than ever that our Prize empowers extraordinary new writers to shine. Our expansion does just that – all without a penny of Arts Council England support.”
It has been confirmed that the prize will expand to recognise two playwrights with commissions and a commitment to production, publication and royalties, as well as increase support for shortlisted and other writers.
The Papatango Prize Winner will receive a premiere production of their winning play in a full run co-produced by Papatango and Park Theatre on the latter’s main stage, Park200, in autumn 2027, plus an £8,000 commission, royalties, and publication with Nick Hern Books.
It has also been announced that the company will introduce a new award, The Papatango Prize Discovery, which sees them commission a new talent with £8,000 and an open-ended development and production pathway, to matchmake the writer and their story to the right venue, audiences and communities. The intention is to support an even wider range of writers and work; not being tied to a specific production platform or development timeline enables Papatango to invest in playwrights who might need even more dramaturgical support than is already available to the Winner, as well as be able to programme plays of all scales and styles.
Meanwhile, the remaining three shortlisted writers will each receive a cash award to support their writing, and be invited onto an elite development group, with a year-long programme of dramaturgy and mentoring to take the next steps in their career. In addition, feedback will be available to every entrant of the Prize.
The 2026 Prize will be open for entries from 12pm GMT (noon) on Wednesday 4 February 2026 until 5pm GMT on Monday 16 March 2026. For full information on this year’s Prize, and to apply, visit: https://prize.papatango.co.uk/.
For the second year Park Theatre will partner with Papatango to co-commission and co-produce the Winner of the Papatango Prize. Park Theatre’s Artistic Director Jez Bond said, “We are absolutely thrilled to once again partner with Papatango after the huge success of The Meat Kings (Inc.) of Brooklyn Heights by Hannah Doran in 2025. Co-commissioning and co-producing the winner of this prestigious prize is an exciting leap into the unknown, and a wonderful opportunity for Park Theatre to remain on the front line of the UK’s new writing scene. We can’t wait to work with our friends at Papatango once more, and deliver another world-class play to our audiences.”