Geoffrey Whitworth Playwriting

About the Competition

The prestigious Geoffrey Whitworth Trophy is awarded annually to the writer of an original play debuting in the preliminary round of the One-Act Festival competitions organised by the All-England Theatre Festival, the Association of Ulster Drama Festivals, the Drama Association of Wales and the Scottish Community Drama Association.

With fifteen entries in 2025 alone, the competition is both lively and fiercely contested, showcasing a rich variety of voices, styles and stories. For emerging and established writers alike, the Geoffrey Whitworth Award represents not just a trophy, but recognition, exposure and the chance to have their work brought to life before an engaged and knowledgeable audience.

The winning play may be given a rehearsed reading at the British Final of One-Act Plays. The competition is administered by the Scottish Community Drama Association on behalf of the UK Community Drama Festivals Federation.

Entry criteria

• Plays must be entered for performance in the preliminary round of the AETF, AUDF, DAW or SCDA One-Act Festivals.
• Plays must not have been publicly performed or published prior to their first performance in the One-Act Festival.
• If not submitted by the author, the author’s written permission must be obtained.

How to enter

• Play scripts must be accompanied by a completed entry form and emailed to SCDA at gw@drama.scot, by 31st March. Receipt will be acknowledged by email.
• The play script must contain a brief synopsis and character list. It should be submitted as a PDF file in A4 format and printed in a clear typeface with numbered pages and without the author’s name.
• The entry form should also be submitted as a PDF file, together with the play script.

Judging

• Plays are judged on reading, not performance. All scripts will be independently assessed, and feedback will be provided to the finalists. The judge’s decision is final.
• Copyright of all plays entered will remain with the author. Winning plays which are subsequently published must contain the acknowledgement, ‘Winner of the Geoffrey Whitworth Competition’.
• The winning play will be offered for publication.

About Geoffrey Whitworth (1883–1951)

The trophy is awarded in memory of Geoffrey Whitworth, an English lecturer and author who founded the British Drama League in 1919. This led to the founding of the annual One-Act Play Festivals that continue throughout the UK today. He encouraged original writing with the philosophy that writers would benefit from seeing their plays performed and adjudicated.