On 27th August it was announced that Jennifer Lunn had won the Popcorn Writing Award 2020 for her play Es and Flo.
Lunn has received a cash prize of £2500. The other finalists – Malilda Ibini, Chris Thompson, and Camilla Whitehill – have won £1500, £1000, and £500 respectively.
Prizes this year were awarded to plays scheduled to premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Es and Flo was selected to win by a 16-strong committee of judges, including Ruth Wilson. Wunmi Mosaku and Gonzalo Maza. The judges concluded that all winning plays “displayed an emotional integrity and strength as well as a brilliant artistic flair.”
Es and Flo explores the tale of a lesbian couple who have hidden their relationship throughout the 30 years they have lived together. The story unfolds as Flo is determined to remain with Es after she has started to show signs of dementia.
On being awarded the prize, Lunn said “it’s an absolute honour to receive this award especially in this strange year as we wait to be able to put the play and these characters in front of an audience. A huge thanks to The Popcorn Group for choosing a story celebrating a diverse and intersectional group of women and thanks to Wales Millennium Centre for their unstinting support of this production.”
The Popcorn Writing Award was established in 2019 “in order to champion the work of playwrights who address current affairs and societal trends.”
Words by Martha Lily Dean .
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