Group Playwriting Challenge Finalists

Ambassador Cruise Line and PEEL Entertainment Group have announced the finalists for the Ambassador PEEL Playwriting Challenge 2025. Following an extensive judging process, Venison by Huw Turnbull and The Splintered Globe by Bryan Moriarty have been shortlisted for this exciting new award. With opportunities for emerging writing talent ebbing away, this exciting and innovative award has been created to celebrate and showcase gifted playwrights. 

Designed to chart a course for new playwrights, the challenge has offered a unique platform for budding talent to make waves in the world of theatre. With an overwhelming number of fantastic submissions, the judges were inspired by the intelligent writing and innovative storytelling.

The incredible new award offers a whole new route for both experienced writers and unproduced playwrights to submit their work. The winner will be announced at a ceremony on December 5th, in which both finalists will have readings performed by an incredible cast of actors, directed by Dr Chris Ford.

The winning play will be produced as part of the Theatre@Sea programme which is performed on Ambassador’s ships Ambience, Renaissance and Ambition and staged onboard Ambition in 2026, with the winner receiving a cash prize of £6,000 and a free cruise for two in 2026. The award is the first of its kind to take place on a cruise ship.

The 2025 shortlisted included playwrights Tony Pipes (The Understudy), Michael Davies (The Seagull Has Landed), Clare Shaw (Mr Sisyphus), Rhys Bevan (The Early Years), James Rushbrooke (Fur and Loathing / Claws for Concern), Mary Portalska (Nick of Time), Keiran Lines (Equilibrium), Brian Murray (The Odyssey (re-Told)), and Claudia Feilding (Tea Leaves).

Further Information: Theatre At Sea