Budding playwrights to see their work on stage after theatre competition win

In January, Local Tale, a playwriting competition conceived by the Royal Exchange Theatre, was launched, open to anyone who lives in or has a connection to Leigh, Atherton or Tyldesley. Created and commissioned by the ambassador team, who are part of the Royal Exchange Theatre’s Local Exchange programme, the competition was designed to give people the chance to showcase their talent and make their work with the Royal Exchange in the heart of their own community.

The competition closed at the end of March and the judges spent weeks reading the entries before choosing the four local winners:

-Mary Berry with Green Leaves

- Charlotte Kirton with The Tree From You Or Me (Under 26 winner)

- Pegeen Murphy with Dreams For Our Daughters

- Alison Ormrod with Battery Low

The winners will all receive support with the development of their plays from the Exchange’s award-winning dramaturg Suzanne Bell who has worked with writers including Anna Jordan (whose credits include the Bruntwood Prize winning Yen and Mother Courage And Her Children for the Exchange and her television work includes American show Succession and BBC’s Killing Eve.

This development work will include a rehearsed reading as the four winning writers work towards getting their plays ready for the Exchange’s pop-up theatre the Den which will take up residency at Spinners Mill next year.

Farai Nhakaniso, Leigh Ambassador and Local Tale judge said: "It was such an amazing honour to be part of the judging panel for the LocalTale playwright competition. I really enjoyed reading the scripts submitted by such a diverse pool of contestants from our community. Congratulations to all the winners and really looking forward to the winning plays being performed on stage at the Den next year in Leigh."

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