Jewish Literary Foundation names six worthy winners

Six Jewish playwrights have seen their work given a huge boost this week, thanks to the generosity of the Jewish Literary Foundation.

The Foundation creates awards for emerging playwrights who have existing work. The six winners listed below will be able to take advantage of a sustained focus on their work and develop it into a full-length play.

Writer and theatre maker Stella Green’s play Book of Alice was shortlisted for the 2024 George Devine Award. Her debut play Ezra was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting.

London-based playwright and lyricist Rachel Bellman writes plays and musicals. Rachel’s passion is for creating female-led narratives tackling identity and morality while combining drama with a dark comedic edge.

Writer and actor Sam Thorpe-Spinks’ debut script The Hoax earned him a place on the 2022 Brit List with fifteen nominations for Best Script. He currently has three television projects in development with Hat Trick Mercurio, Indefinite Films, and Brock Media. His play Sex, Love and Rising Sea Levels was shortlisted for the 503 International Playwrights prize and Papatango Award. He is currently adapting The Leather Boys for the stage with York Theatre Royal.

London-based immigrant writer and producer Noga Flaishon’s writing blends sci-fi, horror, and magical realism to explore contemporary issues and dynamics. Noga’s plays have been recognised by the Papatango Award, the Verity Bargate Award, the International Jewish Play Contest and the Royal Court.

Writer, composer and activist Uri Agnon is from Jerusalem but is now based in London. His work explores the intersection between theatre, music, and political action, and has been performed at venues including the Southbank Centre, Camden People’s Theatre, Kettle’s Yard, Warsaw Ghetto, and at protests and direct actions worldwide.

Playwright and theatre director Amitai Landau-Pope divides his time between London and New York. His plays have been staged in the UK and USA. Amitai’s videogame credits include The Golden Key (Coney/City of London)

Charlotte Churcher from the Jewish Literary Foundation says: “We are very excited to be able to support Jewish writers. The programme is for six months and offers mentorship, industry advancement and focused script development.”

The playwrights will be receiving guidance from Olivier award-winning Mark Rosenblatt, director and dramaturg Emma Jude Harris, award-winning writer and director Josh Azouz, writer and playwright Samantha Ellis, writer for stage and radio Amy Rosenthal and award-winning director Daniel Goldman.

The programme is supported by the Shoresh Foundation whose trustee Rachel Borchard Lewis says: “We are thrilled to support this programme, reflecting our commitment to new Jewish playwriting in the UK. The initiative brings together an exceptional group of writers and facilitators at a crucial stage in script development.”

Excerpts of the plays will be performed for the first time at the 75th anniversary of Jewish Book Week in March 2026.