The Mainstage Prize

Join us for an electrifying evening of high-stakes storytelling as we crown the inaugural winner of the Mainstage Prize. At a time when the theatre industry is hungry for work that revitalizes audience attendance, the Mainstage Prize was set up to champion work with emotional weight, gripping narrative drive, and the sheer power to fill a room. We celebrate writers who think on a grand scale, crafting bold characters and ideas that spark public conversation. The winning playwright recieves a £10,000 cash prize and mentorship opportunities with leading industry figures. Each year the Prize will focus on a different topic or genre, inviting playwrights to work with it as a storytelling engine. This year, the Prize's focus is Horror. The evening will feature professional rehearsed readings of our three finalist plays, offering you the very first glimpse into these gripping, spooky new works