Editor's Note: Hear the in Afternoon Drama on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 at 2.15pm beginning on Monday 12th May 2014 and on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer.
Every year we commission just shy of two hundred programmes into the slot – series, serials and probably more singles than anyone else in the known universe – and as a matter of course we commission thirty or so plays by first and second time writers to radio. This is not an act of unabashed philanthropy, we do it because there is a wealth of fresh new exciting voices who will not only deliver something different to , but will also ensure that, by commissioning them, the future of writing for radio will continue to develop and flourish.
Some of the writers you may never hear of again, but some of them go onto to develop into mainstream talent. Over the last few years we have commissioned newbies like (Jumpers for Goalposts was a recent hit at the Bush), (her Three Birds won the prestigious Bruntwood Prize), (This House was one of the hits of the National Theatre last year), (if you can get a ticket, rush to see his brilliant play King Charles III at the Almeida), etc. etc.
Usually we just drop these plays into the schedule unannounced as new writing, but this year we have decided to profile them in a mini season, (Radio 4 Afternoon Dramas every weekday at 2.15pm from May 12-23),which features ten writers to watch. Some of the writers may be familiar – you may have seen John Lynch (, a journey to the heart of grief, 14th May at 2.15pm) as one of the leads in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two’s ; not only is he a fine writer, but a film star to boot - but most of them you won’t have heard of – yet.
How did we choose them? – well ’s delightful transgender comedy,, that kicks off the season at 2.15pm on 12th May, was a cinche, as it won the inaugural prize by a country mile, Lee Mattinson’s (a wonderfully crazy but moving play about a young man who eats, amongst other things, furniture) resulted from a conversation I had with new writing guru and drama producer for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ North, Gary Brown, which went something like this "Gary, if there is one writer who I need shooting if I don’t commission who would that be?" Gary "Lee Mattinson", so we commissioned him.
The writers come from all corners, hunted down by producers eager to find the next , or (all of whom kick-started their writing careers on radio) – some have had success in fringe theatre (Caroline Horton’s beautiful autobiographical comedy is a reworking of her Edinburgh Fringe show, 13th May 2.15pm), some are novelists (Rachel Connor - about becoming a nun, 19th May at 2.15pm), screenplay writers (Rose Heiney’s , a comedy about trying to keep a relationship alive on May 23rd at 14.15), and some are just newbies who have submitted scripts and ideas to drama producers.
Wherever they come from, we hope you enjoy discovering tomorrow’s talent today in Radio 4’s celebration of new talent in .
The Writers' Prize 2014 launches on Monday 12th May