Six aspiring young wordsmiths aged between five and 25-years-old have been crowned the winners of the fifth annual Wicked Young Writers’ Award.
The triumphant writers – six-year-old Harry Sample, 10-year-old Kiersten Johnson, 14-year-old Anoushka Das, 17-year-old Aashna Nithianandan, 20-year-old Luke Thomas and 14-year-old Evie Buller – were announced today at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in a ceremony hosted by the show’s sorcery-performing stars Emma Hatton and Savannah Stevenson.
The winning entries, which were chosen from 120 shortlisted finalists, included everything from a fresh look at the story of Henry VIII’s wives and an alternative ending to The Hunger Games to a World War-inspired tale and a story about naughty squirrels and hard-drinking pirates who go into business with a sea monster.
Talking about the eclectic tales, How To Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell, who judged and presented the awards, said: “These stories and poems address vital concerns, the really big questions. War, mental illness, love and the forging of identity are just a few of the issues explored with clarity and imagination. As a judge, I was looking to be moved, amused, stimulated and entertained, and I was not disappointed.”
The hit musical inspired by the characters in The Wizard Of Oz also announced today a quintet of new charity partnerships to expand its For Good programme, a scheme that champions themes running through Wicked’s story, including anti-bullying, human rights and the importance of friendship, diversity and being true to yourself.
The For Good programme will see Wicked create special merchandise to promote the scheme, with profits going to the five charities, Anti-Bullying Alliance, Cybersmile, The Helen Bamber Foundation, Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity and Stonewall Education For All.
Our annual kids go free ticket campaign Kids Week will also be getting in on the action, as Wicked hosts an anti-bullying workshop alongside the Anti-Bullying Alliance as one of the activities offered by the show during Kids Week.
Tickets for Kids Week, which offers a range of similar activities including cast Q&As, dance and singing workshops, and backstage tours, alongside show tickets can be booked at www.kidsweek.co.uk
For more information about the Wicked Young Writers’ Award or the For Good programme, visit Wicked’s website.