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Geoffrey Whitworth

Geoffrey Whitworth

Geoffrey Whitworth is a UK wide playwriting competition.

Geoffrey Whitworth Competition

This annual UK wide competition is open to plays making their debut performance at a District Round of the One Act Play Festival anywhere in the UK.

The deadline for entries is 31st March2023

Enter a play

Enter a play using our online form or read more information about entering

Competition rules

1

Plays must be first performed in the preliminary round of the One-Act Festival.

2

Plays must not have been publicly performed or published prior to their first performance in the One-Act Festival.

3

If not submitted by the author, the author’s written permission must be obtained. Copyright of all plays entered will remain with the author.

4

All entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form.

5

Plays must be submitted in A4 format, single side printed in a clear typeface. Pages should be numbered. Scripts submitted on paper will not be returned.

6

The play must contain a brief synopsis and character list, included as part of the script.

7

All entries must be received by
SCDA by the deadline. Receipt will be acknowledged by email. If a postal acknowledgement is required, please send a SAE.

8

Plays are judged on reading not performance. The judge will independently assess the plays and feedback will be provided. The judge’s decision is final.

9

Winning plays which are subsequently published must contain the acknowledgement, ‘Winner of the Geoffrey Whitworth Competition’.

Geoffrey Whitworth

The trophy is awarded in memory of Geoffrey Whitworth (1883-1951). Geoffrey Whitworth was an English lecturer and author, who founded the British Drama League in 1919. This led to the founding of the annual One-Act Play Festivals throughout the UK that continue today. He encouraged original writing with the philosophy that writers would benefit from seeing their plays performed and adjudicated.