Verity Bargate Award

The Verity Bargate Award is a biennial British theatre award for new writing. It was established in 1981–82 in memory of Verity Bargate, the co-founder of Soho Poly, precursor to Soho Theatre.

It is open to writers based in the United Kingdom and Ireland and it is recognised as one of the oldest and most prestigious playwriting prizes of its kind. Since its formation it has been an important springboard for the careers of some of Britain's most established playwrights and screenwriters.

As of 2024, the winning playwright receives £8,000 for an exclusive option for Soho Theatre to produce the prize-winning play. Their play is guaranteed a full London run on one of their stages alongside workshops and rehearsed readings of the play in India and USA as part of the theatre's wider international programme in these locations.

History
In the early years of the prize, notable plays that won the award included: Shona by Tony Craze (1983), Killing the Cat by David Spencer (1990), Kindertransport by Diane Samuels (1992), Jump Mr Manlinoff, Jump by Toby Whithouse (1998). More recent winners have been A Night at the Dogs by Matt Charman (2004), The One by Vicky Jones (2013) and Shedding a Skin by Amanda Wilkin (2020).

Judges
Previous judges include Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Laura Wade, James Graham, Theresa Ikoko, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (all former Soho Theatre playwrights), Lolita Chakrabarti, Russell T Davies, April De Angelis, Sue Townsend, Emma Rice, Irving Wardle, Meera Syal and Ikenna Obiekwe. Since 2014, award has been chaired by film and television producer, Character 7’s Stephen Garrett (producer), who sponsor the Award.

Workshops
Ahead of each submission window, Soho Theatre travel to venues across the United Kingdom and Ireland, to bring new-writing workshops to emerging playwrights. These workshops are designed to equip participants with the tools and inspiration to write a new play, encouraging first time writers to take their first steps in playwriting.