In a milestone moment for British theatre, Georgina Duncan was announced today, February 9, 2026, as the winner of the Women’s Prize for Playwriting 2025. Her winning script, Sapling, rose to the top of a record-breaking 1,275 submissions to claim the prestigious £20,000 award during a star-studded ceremony at London’s @sohoplace.
A Tender Portrait of Grief and Resilience
Set in Belfast during the final years of The Troubles, Sapling is a "tender and darkly funny" exploration of a community scarred by the murder of a child. A decade after the tragedy, 16-year-old Gerry Flynn struggles to find normality until the release of his brother’s killer and the arrival of a charismatic stranger force him to confront the "haunting dilemma" of his family’s deep-rooted pain.
Indhu Rubasingham, Director of the National Theatre and Chair of the Judges, led a panel that included actress Romola Garai and Guardian Editor-in-Chief Katharine Viner. Ellie Keel, Founder Director of the Prize, described Duncan’s work as the "rare kind of play producers dream of discovering," praising its fearless energy and extraordinary craft.
Celebrating Legends and New Voices
The ceremony also marked the debut of the Leading Light award—a lifetime achievement prize presented to Kristin Scott Thomas for her distinguished contribution to culture. Adding to the evening's emotional weight, Dame Meera Syal performed a special monologue written by Abi Morgan, celebrating the enduring legacy of women shaping the stage.
From Page to Stage
The Women’s Prize for Playwriting, founded in 2019 by Ellie Keel and Paines Plough, remains a vital force in tackling gender inequality on UK main stages. Winning Sapling is already being fast-tracked for a future production in partnership with Sheffield Theatres.
As Katie Posner and Charlotte Bennett of Paines Plough noted, Duncan’s script is a "deeply assured piece of storytelling" that is expected to resonate with audiences nationwide, following in the successful footsteps of previous winners like Amy Trigg and Karis Kelly.
