A gripping drama set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's tumultuous Troubles era has taken top honors in this year's Women's prize for playwriting. Georgina Duncan's powerful and unflinching work, Sapling, tells the story of a young man's struggle to cope with trauma and violence that lingers long after its initial impact.
The play is set 10 years after a devastating event in which a child murdered another child during the final years of the Troubles. The story follows Gerry Flynn, aged just 16, as he navigates a world still reeling from the consequences of this tragedy. A deteriorating home life, adolescent angst, and the ever-present shadow of his deceased brother all combine to threaten Gerry's fragile stability.
However, when the events of one fateful day shatter everything, Gerry is forced to confront an even greater challenge: a charismatic stranger named Ryan who promises to be the solution to his problems. But will he be the answer to Gerry's prayers, or simply the catalyst for more pain and heartache?
Through her writing, Duncan delivers a tender yet darkly humorous exploration of what happens when trauma is left untended. The judges praised her work as "gripping" and "profoundly moving," noting that it has all the qualities that producers dream of discovering and audiences yearn to watch.
The Women's prize for playwriting is a rare honor, with just 1,275 entries vying for attention this year – the most ever received by the award. The winner will share a £20,000 prize with an option for co-production from prominent theater companies, ensuring that Sapling reaches audiences and stages it deserves.
The judges' rigorous deliberations have been rewarded with a diverse range of outstanding plays, each one a testament to the incredible talent of women writers in the UK. As the founder director Ellie Keel noted, these plays and their creators are poised for great things on the big stage – and she can't wait to see what the future holds for them.
The Women's prize for playwriting has also announced its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award, dubbed the Leading Light award. This prestigious honor will recognize a leading female figure in the arts industry who has made an enduring impact through their work and contributions to culture.
The play is set 10 years after a devastating event in which a child murdered another child during the final years of the Troubles. The story follows Gerry Flynn, aged just 16, as he navigates a world still reeling from the consequences of this tragedy. A deteriorating home life, adolescent angst, and the ever-present shadow of his deceased brother all combine to threaten Gerry's fragile stability.
However, when the events of one fateful day shatter everything, Gerry is forced to confront an even greater challenge: a charismatic stranger named Ryan who promises to be the solution to his problems. But will he be the answer to Gerry's prayers, or simply the catalyst for more pain and heartache?
Through her writing, Duncan delivers a tender yet darkly humorous exploration of what happens when trauma is left untended. The judges praised her work as "gripping" and "profoundly moving," noting that it has all the qualities that producers dream of discovering and audiences yearn to watch.
The Women's prize for playwriting is a rare honor, with just 1,275 entries vying for attention this year – the most ever received by the award. The winner will share a £20,000 prize with an option for co-production from prominent theater companies, ensuring that Sapling reaches audiences and stages it deserves.
The judges' rigorous deliberations have been rewarded with a diverse range of outstanding plays, each one a testament to the incredible talent of women writers in the UK. As the founder director Ellie Keel noted, these plays and their creators are poised for great things on the big stage – and she can't wait to see what the future holds for them.
The Women's prize for playwriting has also announced its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award, dubbed the Leading Light award. This prestigious honor will recognize a leading female figure in the arts industry who has made an enduring impact through their work and contributions to culture.
I'm so hyped about this win!!! The fact that Sapling took top honors is like, totally well-deserved - it's such a powerful exploration of trauma and its effects on our lives 
. And can we talk about how complex Gerry Flynn is? Like, 16 years old and already dealing with so much drama in his life... I feel like I'd have a nervous breakdown just thinking about his situation 
. And that Ryan character though... what's up with him? Sounds like he might be trouble 
. Can't wait to see Sapling on stage and experience it for myself!
. And £20k is pretty standard prize money if you ask me... where's the innovation? The platform's just churning out the same old formulaic plays with fancy awards to go along with it 
. And don't even get me started on the Lifetime Achievement Award – who's to say this Leading Light award won't just be a bunch of self-congratulatory nonsense 
. Can't we just see some new and experimental work for once?
! Her play Sapling is literally gripping & thought-provoking - it's like she's tapped into the collective psyche of Northern Ireland during the Troubles era 
. The way she explores trauma, mental health, and identity is just so raw & real #TraumaAwareness #MentalHealthMatters 
. I'm obsessed with how Gerry's story unfolds - his struggles feel so relatable & authentic #SaplingPlay. The judges are like 'obviously' right about it being 'profoundly moving' 
. Can't wait to see Sapling take the stage & bring this important story to life 
Still, it sounds like the writer did an amazing job at making it tender yet darkly humorous. I'll have to check it out when it hits the stages 
i love how she tackles the trauma and violence of the troubles era with such nuance and sensitivity 
I think this is such a powerful story, Sapling sounds so raw and honest... I mean, 16 years old already dealing with trauma like that is just heartbreaking 
. And then you add this charismatic stranger into the mix, it's like... will he be the solution or just another nightmare? 
. I mean, I loved the writing style and all, but some people might find it a bit too much to handle 
. Like, is this really something we need to watch again? We're already bombarded with trauma and violence in the media - can't we take a break for once? 
Also, I'm not sure about this whole "charismatic stranger promises to be the solution" trope... doesn't sound too original or compelling to me 
. Still, kudos to Georgina Duncan for tackling such tough subjects and making them accessible to audiences 
On a more pessimistic note though, I wonder how much of an impact this play will actually have on the public's perception of trauma and mental health issues... Will it just get lost in the noise or spark some meaningful conversation? 
. The way she tackles themes of trauma and violence is so thought-provoking – it's like, you're totally invested in Gerry's story from the start, but also kinda uncomfortable at times 
.
anyway congrats to georgina duncan on the win, i guess her play must've really touched people's hearts... or maybe they just wanted to support a female writer who writes about trauma 
I'm literally shaking just thinking about this play... it sounds like it's gonna be super intense! The idea of a 16-year-old boy dealing with trauma and violence is already so heartbreaking, but adding a charismatic stranger who promises to fix everything? That's like pouring gas on a fire 
. I need to know more about this Ryan character ASAP... is he gonna be a hero or a villain? And how does the play balance the darkness with humor? 
Can't wait to see how it all comes together! 
just saw that Northern Ireland's Troubles era is still haunting people like 16 yr olds navigating trauma & violence, & now some kid murdered another kid & it's still affecting ppl a decade later 
Sapling sounds like such a powerful and emotional rollercoaster of a play. I love how it tackles tough topics like trauma, anxiety, and PTSD, but in a way that's also super relatable and humanizing. The fact that it took home the top prize for playwriting is no surprise to me - Georgina Duncan's writing has all the magic. But what I'm really excited about is the opportunity for Sapling to get out there and be seen by as many people as possible! 
. Can't wait to see it on stage, fingers crossed