THE SILVER GULL PLAY AWARD 2026

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED

Now in its twelfth year, the Silver Gull Play Award continues to grow, with a large number of entries received in 2026. Each script is assessed through several rounds, and writers’ identities remain anonymous until the final decision is made.

The standard was especially high this year, making the selection of five shortlisted plays a difficult one. Four more plays have been highly commended. All reflect New Theatre’s ethos of ‘Plays With a Purpose’, exploring subjects such as AI, religion and toxic masculinity alongside the human need for compassion, forgiveness and love.

The Silver Gull Play Award 2026 shortlist

Christ is Back — Laurence Rosier Staines
Good With People — Ross Mueller
It’s Like That Time Your Sister Handcuffed You to the Stairway and Then Went to School — Josh Billig
Relations — Lawrence Parmenter
Thirty West of Heaven — Jack Kearney

Highly Commended

Creatures — Jess Zlotnick
Price — John Stone
The Guy in the Box — Alastair Brown
The Letter of Wishes — Armando Licul

Congratulations to the shortlisted writers, who will share a total prize pool of $7,000, courtesy of sponsor Joy Minter.

Winner revealed Mon 19 Oct!