Troubles-rooted play Sapling wins Women’s prize for playwriting

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 2 min read 100% complete by Kevin RawlinsonFebruary 9, 2026 at 08:30 PM

AI Summary

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Georgina Duncan's play *Sapling*, set in Troubles-era Belfast, has won the 2025 Women's Prize for Playwriting. The play explores the impact of unresolved trauma following the murder of a child. The story follows the victim's brother as he grapples with adolescence, a deteriorating home life, and the release of his brother's killer. The annual award, founded in 2019, supports female and non-binary playwrights and received a record 1,275 entries this year. Duncan, a working-class playwright from Lancashire, will receive £20,000, and her play has the option for co-production by Ellie Keel Productions, Paines Plough, and Sheffield Theatres. Kristin Scott Thomas was also announced as the first winner of the Leading Light lifetime achievement prize.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

National Theatre 30% Kristin Scott Thomas 30% Romola Garai 40% Indhu Rubasingham 40% Katharine Viner 40% Ryan ×250% Lancashire 50% Gerry Flynn ×260% Conor Flynn 60% Ellie Keel ×270% Belfast 70% Georgina Duncan ×290%

Keywords

sapling 100% play 90% playwriting 90% trauma 80% troubles 80% georgina duncan 70% award 70% violence 60% murder 60% belfast 50%

Sentiment Analysis

Positive

Score: 0.40

Source Transparency

Source

The Guardian - World News

Political Lean

Center-Left (-0.40)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Belfast

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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sapling play playwriting trauma troubles georgina duncan award violence murder belfast

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