TALENTED playwrights are being given a shot at having their work staged at a Colchester venue following the launch of a writing contest.  

The Play Lottery, a playwrighting competition, is giving one lucky writer from the East of England, the chance to have their show performed at the Mercury Theatre.

Unlike most contests, as long as the play meets the entry conditions – original, an hour long, and for one performer – the winner be simply drawn from a hat.

The event is part of the Mercury Theatre’s annual Mercurial Takeover celebrating home-grown talent with any writer living in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex being able to take part.

The lucky writer - announced on April 18 - will then have their play staged as a ‘script-in-hand’, work-in-progress for one night by the professional director Jessy Roberts and producer Jamie Rycroft.

Budding writers will also receive feedback from established playwrights.

Tickets are available to book for £8.50 for the event on April, 18 at 7pm which will last approximately one hour and 15 minutes with no interval at the Mercury Studio.

For information and to submit, visit theplaylottery.com and to book tickets visit here.

Entries to the competition can be made up until March 10.