Key facts
- The Windrush Prize for British Caribbean Playwrights has been launched.
- The prize is funded by compensation awarded to a Windrush victim.
- It offers a £10,000 award and a minimum three-week theatre run.
- The winning play will be co-produced by Arcola and Orísun Productions and published by Methuen Drama.
- The prize aims to support playwrights whose stories have often been overlooked.
The Windrush Prize for British Caribbean Playwrights has been launched, funded by compensation awarded to a Windrush victim who passed away before receiving it. Established by Shereener Browne, founder of Orísun Productions, in memory of her father, Myron Brown, the prize aims to discover and develop new talent.
The prize will award £10,000 to a UK-based British Caribbean playwright over 18. The winning play will receive a minimum three-week run at the Arcola theatre in 2027, co-produced by Arcola and Orísun Productions, and will be published by Methuen Drama. Submissions must be unpublished, full-length plays, open to both represented and unrepresented writers.
Browne's father, who came to Britain from St Kitts and Nevis in the 1960s, was one of thousands wrongly denied citizenship rights. His experience had a profound impact on his sense of self and mental health, according to Browne. She applied to the Windrush Compensation Scheme on his behalf, but he died before the payout was made, leading to a complex probate process for Browne.
Browne stated her desire for something positive to emerge from the experience, particularly as the Windrush generation is diminishing. The prize is intended to address the underrepresentation of British Caribbean voices in British theatre and highlight their significant impact on British life. Research indicates low awareness of the Windrush story among young people.
In addition to the prize, Orísun Productions will host workshops, seminars, and networking events to support emerging writers. A permanent Windrush-inspired heritage trail has also been launched in London's Hammersmith borough to celebrate the African-Caribbean community's history and contributions.