15-year-old student from Croydon, Kiera Grierson, has been announced as the winner of this year’s New Views competition — the annual playwriting competition for young people.
1063 students from schools and colleges across the UK took part in New Views this year, learning about playwriting through workshops and mentoring from professional writers, writing their own 30-minute plays.
As part of New Views, schools have the chance to watch NT productions and teachers take part in professional training to support their students.
Grierson’s play was chosen by a panel of judges from across the industry including actor Archie Barnes, NT Writer in Residence Iman Qureshi, theatre director Mumba Dodwell and NT Associate Dramaturg Sasha Milavic Davies.
3.2.1 uses the medium of poetry to follow the entwined stories of several conflicted teenagers, exploring themes of social media, modern female beauty expectations and young love.
Keira Grierson said, ‘It felt surreal winning the competition, but I was just overjoyed that my passion for writing had led to such a great opportunity. Taking part in New Views has been such an exciting way for me to express myself and my writing. I have really enjoyed working on my script, it has been an amazing rewarding experience.’
Director Ian Rickson said, ‘As a former teacher, I am really excited to be working on New Views this year, a vital resource both for first time writers, and the wider culture, especially at a time when they are under such threat in education and our society as a whole. 3.2.1 is driven by the writer’s urgent need to engage with the intersections of gender and technology, as she finds a dynamic theatrical form that is fresh and original.’
Judging panel member and 17-year-old actor Archie Barnes said, ‘The breadth of talent at this year’s New Views is seriously impressive. The diverse characters and compelling stories reflect the reality of the world we live in, promoting understanding, empathy and social justice. It is exhilarating to think that one day I might be lucky enough to perform in a play written by one or more of the finalists.’