War Horse author Michael Morpurgo hailed “the writers of the future” as he prepared to meet the young finalists of a national competition today.
Out of almost 5,000 entrants aged five to 25, 100 finalists were invited to the Apollo Victoria Theatre to hear their work read by cast members of Wicked. Managers of the long-running West End musical launched the Wicked Young Writers’ Award, backed by the National Literacy Trust, in 2010 to recognise excellence in writing and develop writing talent in young people.
Judges’ chairman Morpurgo said: “Great writing touches our hearts, awakens our intellect and leaves us thinking and dreaming. These young people have written extraordinary pieces that do all that. Here are the writers of the future.”
Organisers said the spirit of the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee clearly inspired younger entrants while teenagers explored darker themes of fear, death and war.
Winners will receive family tickets to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria, and a writing masterclass.
