In 2004, the Verity Bargate Award was accompanied by a regional workshop tour, introducing new playwrights nationwide to Soho Theatre and offering free masterclasses with Nina Steiger, Writers’ Centre Director. Over 700 entries were received, 7 scripts were shortlisted and the winner, A Night at the Dogs by Matt Charman (link to play page) was announced at a ceremony on 24 November 2004.

2004: A Night at the Dogs by Matt Charman
Twenty-five year old Matt was washing cars at a crash repair shop when he wrote his first play, A Night at the Dogs. The play was directed by Abigail Morris and produced at Soho Theatre from 8 April – 14 May 2005. He is now Writer in Residence at Soho Theatre and has been commissioned to write his second play.

2002 (joint winners):
Achidi J’s Final House by Amy Evans
Amy has been commissioned by Context Theatre Company. ACHIDI J was produced at the Finborough Theatre in Summer 2004.

Felt Effects by Joy Wilkinson
Joy has been working with Soho Theatre and has received rehearsed readings of her two most recent plays.

Matches for Monkeys by Sean Buckley
Matches for Monkeys premiered at Chelsea Theatre in June 2004, directed by Tessa Walker.

2000: Office by Shan Khan
Office was directed by Artistic Director Abigail Morris and premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival in August 2001 before returning to Soho Theatre in September 2001. He has since written films for BBC1 and Film 4.

1998: Jump Mr Malinoff, Jump by Toby Whithouse
Jump Mr Malinoff Jump was directed by Associate Director Jonathan Lloyd and was the opening production for Soho Theatre’s launch season in April 2000. Toby has since been commissioned by the Bush and wrote the acclaimed series No Angels. He is currently developing a new BBC series.

1996 (joint winners):
The Backroom by Adrian Pagan
The Backroom was produced by Soho Theatre at the Pleasance in November 1998 and then at the Bush Theatre in June 1999. Both productions were directed by Associate Director Jonathan Lloyd.

Perpetua by Fraser Grace.
Jonathan Lloyd directed Perpetua at the Birmingham Rep Theatre in April 1999.

1994: Kindertransport by Diane Samuels
Directed by Abigail Morris, Kindertransport opened to critical and popular acclaim at Soho Theatre in 1995 prior to a New York and West End runs.

1992: Bruises by Judy Upton
Bruises was produced by Soho Theatre at the Royal Court Theatre in xxx. Judy has since written many plays for The Red Room, was commissioned by the Royal Court, Out of Joint and Hampstead Theatre. She won the George Devine Award in 1994 and received three Guiness/National Theatre Ingenuity awards.

1990: Killing the Cat by David Spencer
Killing the Cat was produced by Soho Theatre Upstairs at the Court in 1990. David has had further plays produced at Southwark Playhouse and the Royal Court.

1988: Me and My Friend by Gillian Plowman
Me and My Friend was presented on Channel 4 and has been produced by numerous theatre companies.
1986: Made in Spain by Tony Grounds
Tony has written for the BBC and Tiger Aspect.

1984: Up for None by Mick Mahoney
Mick’s credits include writing for the National, the Old Red Lion and English Stage Company.

1982 (joint winners):
Shona by Tony Craze
Lunch Girls by Ron Hart