The Annual Ronald Duncan Playwriting Competition

The First (2011) Competition

The first Annual Ronald Duncan playwriting competition was organised by Encore in 2011, generously supported by the Ronald Duncan Literary Foundation.

The competition attracted 45 entries from around the world.

2011 Winning Play

The winner of the 2011 competition was Jo’s War by Lucy Bell.

Jo's War is a contemporary two-hander telling the tale of how soldier Steve's mother, Sue, and his girl-friend, Jo, cope with him being away at war. This is a story that is rarely told - the impact on the homefront told from a woman's point of view. Jo's War is not a political discussion of war or really a morality tale either, but it lifts the lid on the impact of war on the forgotten army of wives, girl-friends and other people close to our soldiers.

2011 Finaists

Jo's War was chosen ahead of two other finalists; 2023 by Lisa Parry and Rasputin's Mother by Michael Davies, both examples of excellent new writing.

The Prize Staging

Jo's War is being staged by Encore Theatre in early 2012 in Yorkshire, Portsmouth and London. Details...

The 2012 Competition

The 2012 Ronald Duncan Play Writing Competition will commence in February and will be open to all new playwrights. Watch this space for further details.