Playwrights ‘73

Playwrights ‘73 awards bursaries to established theatre writers coupled with an attachment to a not for profit theatre or producing organisation. At present bursaries are given to four writers in each round of awards, with an 18 month attachment. The attachment provides an opportunity for the writer to immerse themselves in the life of the organisation and its development of work and in particular an opportunity to write a play.

One of the bursaries in each round is given in the name of Tom Erhardt, Peggy Ramsay’s long time colleague.
The plays written by the writers in each round are also considered for a best play award given by Sonia Friedman Productions.

Playwrights ‘73 is a successor to the Thames Television Theatre Writers Scheme which was originally founded in 1973 and subsequently supported by Pearson (as the Pearson Playwrights’ Scheme) and Channel 4.

Playwrights ‘73 is also supported by the Maria Bjornson Foundation.