Meet the winners for the 29th Alfred Fagon Award for Best New Play of the Year. The Awards were held on Friday, 5 December 2029 at the Dorfman, National Theatre.
Harry Mould wins with The Brenda Line. Mould was presented with their award by Winsome Pinnock.
Harry Mould says, “I was so proud to be longlisted for the Alfred Fagon Award alongside such brilliant talents, so winning is a surreal delight. The Brenda Line is my first play, and to have it recognised in such a way, by an award I’ve followed for years, is a real honour and a vote of confidence that’s already had such a huge and vital impact on me as an emerging writer. My mam, who loosely inspired the play and greatly inspires me, was born not far from Alfred Fagon, and I’m thankful to have the opportunity to dedicate this award to her.”
Daniel Bailey, Chair of the Judges says, “This two-hander teaches us something about ourselves, and questions our moral compass page after page. We come out changed as do the characters by this most unlikely friendship. An intergenerational tug-of-war that actually gives us hope for a future despite being set in a past where we looked after each other, in more ways than one.”
The winner of the fifth Mustapha Matura Award and Mentoring Programme was also announced. Thea Melton wins with Blaxit Means Blaxit. Thea Melton was presented with her award by Ingrid Selberg.
Thea Melton says, “I am so honoured and grateful to be the recipient of the Mustapha Matura Award this year. This has been so encouraging and a massive confidence boost for me to keep writing but also platform my work. I am excited to receive guidance from my mentor who can help nurture and expand my craft as a playwright but also equip me with the skills to navigate the industry. Thank you to everyone involved in organising the award. This is a life changing opportunity and I cannot wait to see where it takes me.”
Ingrid Selberg, Estate of Mustapha Matura says, “Blaxit Means Blaxit is a satirical, but thoughtful, exploration of young Black Brits re-evaluating their place in the land they call home, through a range of different characters. The writing is funny and sharp, the storytelling bold but also very relatable and certainly topical. Blaxit Means Blaxit shows the talent and the promise of Thea Melton as a playwright, and we are delighted to be presenting her this year’s Mustapha Matura Award and Mentoring Programme.”
The recipient of this year’s Roland Rees Bursary was announced as Amahra Spence
The winners were announced at the award ceremony on Friday, 5 December, Dorfman Theatre, National Theatre, London, SE1 9PX.
NEED TO KNOW:
- The Mustapha Matura Award and Mentoring Programme is supported by Estate of Mustapha Matura, Garrick Charitable Trust and The Henry and Mary Kent Trust and many individual donors.
- For more information about the Award ceremony, contact Creative Producer, Pauline Walker on info@alfredfagonaward.co.uk | www.alfredfagonaward.co.uk
- Patron – Baroness Floella Benjamin
- The Trustees – Sheelagh Killeen; Nina Malone; Olusola Oyeleye; James St Ville KC (Chair) and Brian Walters
