The Script Yorkshire radio drama competition 2026
If you're reading this on or after Tuesday 13th October 2026, our fab four weeks of radio-writing workshops with prolific playwright Amanda Whittington are over, and our annual radio competition is open for submissions!
The submissions window is open for three months, and the deadline is Thursday 13th January 2027. The three winning plays will be produced in summer 2027.
Scroll down the page to find all the information you need, including links to tools and videos which will help ensure you meet the competition criteria. You'll need to be a fully paid up member of Script Yorkshire to enter.
In the coming weeks, we'll be releasing our 2025 competition winners' pieces to get you in the mood and spur you on. Stay tuned!
Becky and Philip with actors Keir Brown and Katie Mae Carden
Our director and actors in the studio at Chapel FM with sound engineer Elliott
Lesley giving notes
Becky and Philip with actors Keir Brown and Katie Mae Carden
PRIZE
3 x winning plays will be...
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Recorded by professional actors
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Produced for broadcast on Chapel FM
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Published here on our website
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Sent to winners in .mp3 format
CRITERIA
We're looking for...
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Exciting original stories that exploit the radio medium.
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Cracking characterisation and dialogue
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A skilful command of this demanding short form of scriptwriting.
ENTER
You'll need to...
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be a fully paid-up member of Script Yorkshire to enter
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write a 5-minute radio script for no more than 3 actors
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number your pages, as well as every line on each page as per this layout example
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NOT put your name or contact details anywhere on your script. Anonymity = unbiased judging
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time your piece to make sure it's really 5 minutes long!
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upload your script to our submissions portal before midnight on Thursday 13th January 2027.
SELECTION
Experienced Script Yorkshire radio-drama writers Sharon Oakes and Jonathan Hall will read all the entries and select a short-list of 10.
Everyone who enters will receive written feedback.
The 10 finalists’ plays will be sent to erstwhile BBC radio producer Marion Nancarrow, who will select 3 winning scripts for us to produce.
PREP
Never written for radio?
Never fear: swot up on your script skills with Auntie Beeb!
The BBC Writers Room website has loads of great scripts you can study before you start.
And, of course, there's always plenty of fantastic radio drama to listen to. Just scout around on BBC Sounds.
LISTEN TO OUR PAST WINNERS' PLAYS...
The Nose Knows
by Sarah Carratt
A woman's life choices worry her best friend.
Item of Interest
by Wendy Calvert
A couple's curiosity gets the better of them when an estranged relative dies.
Facing Up
by Jacky Burton
A moment of reckoning for a burnt out call centre advisor.
A Head for Business
by E.D. Arundale
A chilled tale about a very unusual inheritance...
Music: This is Halloween by Universfield from Free Music Archive license CC BY-SA.
The Caller
by Maggie Graham
A phone call stops a young man in his tracks.
Music: Opus One by Tim Carleton and Darrick Deel.
Good Going Underfoot
by Alice Collins
A day at the races brings back memories and makes headline news.
With special thanks to Marta Kapica and Jack Pitfield.
Leek & Brimstone
by Saeth Wheeler
A stirring tale involving a supernatural starter.
The Applicant
by John Hunter
A job interview puts a young woman's nerve to the test.
Music by: Bensound
License code: GP7UQP50D838T0S1
Are You a Good Man, Mr Pollard?
by Stephen Brennan
A teenage islander encounters a stranger on the radio.
Playing With My Heart
by Jacqueline Saville
A spectral encounter brings new hope for an estranged couple.
Spare
by Erin Revell
Ever wondered what happens at home while you're out at work?
We Were The Singers
by Paul Joe Osborne
Emotions run high when a teenage prophetess predicts her own death.
Yellow Vision
by Tom Jordan
OAPs with artistic differences pay a visit to the National Gallery.
Bangers and Mash and Infidelity
by Jacob Welby
A decidedly different dinner-table debate!
Blackout
by Kat Rose-Martin
Painting the town a darker shade of red...
Cut Up
by Pete Goodland
A boy's life changes after a flash of steel.
Homing
by Jackie Daly
A viewing leads to a blast from the past.
Mistaken Identity
by Richard Kay
A reimagining of a remarkable true story.
Red in Tooth and Claw
by Sarah Carratt
Doorstep sales in a dog-eat-dog world.
Use of '52-Bar Bossa under Creative Commons Public license courtesy of R1772 and wikiloops.com.
Radio not your bag? Try Page to Stage or Script Factor instead!