On The Shore Of The Wide World, Simon Stephens’s elegant drama about Roy Keane, girls, the size of the galaxy and Stockport, has won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play, which was presented by Natascha McElhone.
Over the last three years, Simon Stephens has established himself as one of the leading writers in the UK, being described by the Independent as “a major new voice in British writing”, and winning praise for his “anguished lyricism” by the Guardian’s Michael Billington. His previous productions include Christmas, One Minute, Port, Bluebird, Heron and Country Music. The last three of these plays were premiered at The Royal Court, where Stephens is a writer in residence and a tutor of the acclaimed Young Writer’s Programme.
In 2001 Simon Stephens earned an Laurence Olivier nomination for Most Promising Playwright, and he won the Pearson Award for Best New Play in 2001 (for Port), and Best Visiting Production at Tron Theatre Awards in 2003 (for One Minute). Stephens’ latest play, Motortown, will open at the Royal Court on 21 April 2006.
On The Shore Of The Wide World is described as “a tender play about discord, heartbreak and the redemptive power of love across three generations.” Directed by Sarah Frankcom, the play ran at the National’s Cottesloe theatre between 20 May and 23 August 2005, after an initial run at Manchester’s Royal Exchange.
TB
