Playwright Chloë Moss has won the 2009 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for her play This Wide Night, seen at the Soho theatre last summer.
The piece, a tale of two women trying to rebuild their lives following their release from prison, embarked on a UK tour including women’s prisons following its premiere at the Soho theatre. A London revival later in 2009 is currently being planned.
The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, which saw Moss collect $20,000 in prize money, is presented annually to a new play that reflects the values and interests of American actress and writer Susan Smith Blackburn. Open to pieces from across the English-speaking world, the entrants are whittled down to a final 10 from which the winner is chosen. This year’s finalists included Lucinda Coxon for Happy Now?, which was staged at the National Theatre and Amy Rosenthal for On The Rocks, which played at the Hampstead theatre.
Speaking about the award, Moss said: “Writing This Wide Night has been the most fulfilling part of my career so far. To have recognition in the form of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize is a huge honour.”
The Liverpudlian playwright, who is currently under commission to the Royal Court, is to donate part of her prize money to Clean Break to aid its work with women who have had personal experience of the criminal justice system.
MA