Æ critic up for award
Lucy Evans makes Allen Wright Award shortlist
Æ writer Lucy Evans has made the shortlists of the Allen Wright Award, organised by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society to encourage and reward quality writing in arts journalism from young critics on the fringe.
The award was created by the Society in 1998 as a tribute to Allen Wright, the first Arts Editor of the Scotsman newspaper, a post he held from 1964 to 1993. It is open to any journalist aged 30 or under, writing or reviewing on the Edinburgh fringe.
Lucy’s review of Brave Macbeth is one of her shortlisted pieces. Photo Captivate Theatre.
The Society says of the awards: “Allen was the Scotsman’s Chief Theatre Critic and a passionate supporter of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, conceiving and establishing The Scotsman Fringe First Awards in 1973.
“Following his death at the age of 65, the Fringe Society set up the Allen Wright Award in 1998, celebrating Allen’s passion and support for the Fringe and his determination to foster new journalistic talent. As the only official award handed out by the Fringe Society, it honours his ideals and continues his contribution to the festival he loved.”
There are two awards, for best review and best feature. Five writers have been put onto the review shortlist with three on the feature short list. The award will be given to first and second placed writer in each category.
Lucy Evans has been put on both shortlists, as has Arusa Qureshi, who writes for The List. They are joined by Sunday Post journalist Gillian Furmage in the features shortlist.
Polly Checkland Harding, of Fest Magazine; Fergus Morgan of The Stage and Kate Wyver of Exeunt and Fest Magazine join Evans and Qureshi to make up the reviewer shortlist.
The shortlist has been prepared by fringe staff and the final winner will be judged by a panel of three Scottish editors and writers. The winners will be announced on Saturday 26 August.
Lucy Evans’ reviews for Æ can all be found here: https://www.alledinburghtheatre.com/author/lucy/.
ENDS
I wish your reviewer all the best Thom.
Irene B