The recipients of the 2026 Jerwood Royal Court Commissioning Scheme have been announced by the Royal Court Theatre: they are Shahid Iqbal Khan with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, Simon Longman with Kestrel Theatre Company, Christine Entwisle with Shared Experience, Anjeli Chapman with Tamasha Theatre, Harry Mould with Traverse Theatre and finally, Tonderai Munyevu with York Theatre Royal.
Jerwood Foundation is supporting this brand new, national initiative to increase investment and support for new writing on stages right across the UK, through a major grant awarded to the Royal Court Theatre over two years.
In its first year, six grants of up to £6,000 each have been awarded jointly to playwrights and producers who applied through the open-access national Scheme. Designed to invest in a pipeline of ambitious and risk-taking new theatre and encourage producers backing original work, grants will underwrite the signature fee for a new play commission led by theatres and producing companies across the country.
Lara Wardle, Executive Director and Trustee, Jerwood Foundation said:
Jerwood support of the Jerwood Royal Court Commissioning Scheme builds on a long-standing relationship with the Royal Court Theatre and underlines our ongoing commitment to excellence and emerging talent in the arts. I am delighted that, in its inaugural year, this new national programme will enable six new commissions across the UK and provide opportunities for risk-taking and ambition to flourish.
Will Young, Royal Court Executive Director, said:
We're delighted to announce the first recipients for our game-changing new Jerwood Royal Court Commissioning Scheme. The quality and breadth of applications was exceptional, reflecting the huge amounts of new writing talent and creative energy across British theatre - and generating heated debate for the shortlisting and selection panels. We know the decisions will only get tougher each year as we grow this programme annually - providing a long-term engine for investment in bold, original new theatre. Now we just can't wait to see the plays come to life and meet audiences across the country!
The second round of applications for the Jerwood Royal Court Commissioning Scheme 2027, will be announced by the Royal Court later this year.
For further information please visit the Royal Court Theatre
April 23, 2026
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