The shortlist for one of the most prestigious new writing prizes, the George Devine Award 2020, has been announced today.

Nine plays have been recognised in the shortlist for this year’s award, whereby the winner will receive £15,000 in support of their future as a playwright.

Former GDA-winner and 2020 judge Roy Williams said: “The quality of the plays on the 2020 Shortlist is exceptional. They are a set of bold, diverse voices representing huge variety in style and subject matter. Amidst a very difficult year for theatre, it felt clear when discussing these plays with my fellow judges that there is a bright future to look towards for new writing when the industry reopens.”

The 2020 Shortlist is: When Great Trees Fall by Dipo Baruwa-Etti, Motherland by Chris Bush, Staying at Stacey’s by Annie Jenkins, Does My Bomb Look Big In This? by Nyla Levy, There are no beginnings by Charley Miles, Out of Sorts by Danusia Samal, O, Island! by Nina Segal, The Canary and the Crow by Daniel Ward and The High Table by Temi Wilkey.

This year’s judging panel includes the previous GDA-winning playwrights Charlene James and Roy Williams alongside former Royal Court Artistic Director Ian Rickson, actress Patsy Ferran, director Elayce Ismail and producer Amy Powell Yeates.

The winner will be announced later this month.