Merthyr student wins national playwriting award

A college student from Merthyr has been named joint winner of a nationwide playwriting competition.

Emyr Strudwick, a 19-year-old student from The College Merthyr Tydfil, was announced as one of two winners of this year’s New Views programme – the National Theatre’s annual playwriting competition for young people. 

Emyr’s play, ‘Teulu’ was selected from over 500 submissions from 90 schools across the UK.

Coming to life

Emyr will have the opportunity to develop his play, ‘Teulu’ alongside Director of the National Theatre, Rufus Norris as part of the News Views Festival on 4-5 July. 

He said: “Winning this competition has been an amazing experience. 

“I am endlessly grateful to Merthyr College for providing me with the opportunity to participate in the New Views competition and to National Theatre for allowing my play to be staged. 

“I cannot wait to see this play come to life.”

News Views playwriting programme offers participating schools the chance to work with a professional playwright who will mentor the students when writing their own original 30-minute play. 

Rufus Norris who Emyr will be working with to develop his playwright on stage has experience in directing Cabaret and The Country Girl in London’s West End and Dr Dee and Les Liaisons Dangereuses on Broadway, New York.

“Remarkable”

Emyr’s Teulu, takes us into the world of Owen, a teenage boy dealing with the grief of losing his mother, as he reconnects with his father Wyn. 

Set in Wales, this play is an eloquent portrayal of community, family and leaning on those who love you. 

The College Merthyr Tydfil said: “We are so excited to see Emyr’s play performed at National Theatre, London. 

“This is a remarkable milestone, and we are all incredibly proud of him.”

Emyr’s play will be performed on stage in the National Theatre and will be followed by a post-show discussion with the young writers and creative teams. 

For more information, visit https://www.merthyr.ac.uk