Verity Bargate Award 2026

Sponsored by Character 7, the Verity Bargate Award is Soho Theatre’s flagship new writing award with the winning play produced in a full production on our stages.

This award is for everyone. First-time writers, late starters, people who’ve been sitting on an idea for years. We don’t care about your background or your credentials—we want a great play. If you’re in the UK or Ireland and you’ve got a story burning a hole in your brain, something urgent or funny or devastating that won’t leave you alone, send it to us. Just a brilliant idea, a bold voice, and the guts to put it on the page.

The winner will receive £12,000 and a full production at Soho Theatre. Alongside the winner of the Award, we will also be selecting another writer to receive the Character 7 Commission. This writer, selected by our sponsor Character 7 in consultation with Soho Theatre, will be commissioned by Soho Theatre and join the 2027 cohort of writers on Soho ReDraft.

Deadline: Monday 13th April, 11am

For more information and to apply, click here.