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Playwriting Competition

 

'Pint-Sized Plays' are live short-format theatre performed in pubs or small venues featuring a small cast, and using minimal set, props and tech support.

 

Plays are selected for performance by a judging panel.​ The live audiences then vote for their preferred script, with the winner being announced on the final night.

RTC 2023 Pint-Sized Plays Generic.jpg

Entries are now open for the

2025/26 competition!

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How to Enter:

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Entry Conditions:

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  • Entries are limited to three plays per playwright. Original plays are preferred but not compulsory.

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  • The play should require no more than 3 actors - any more than this and the play will not be judged.

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  • The play should using a minimal number of basic staging and props on a stage approx 2m x 3. 

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  • The play should be between 10-15 minutes long. Plays longer than 15 minutes are not recommended.

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  • Judging is done anonymously by title - scripts should not include any playwright names or contact details.

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  • Entries are due by November 30 2025.

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For further information email plays@remarkabletheatre.co.nz

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More Information

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Pint–Sized Plays is your opportunity to show just how imaginative and original you can be. If it can be performed in a pub, with 1– 3 actors using a minimum number of props, you could be the 'New Zealand Pint- Sized Play’ champion. If it is funny - If it is sad - If it is original – it could be a winner.

 

Each year we seek original scripts that demonstrate that your local can be a fine place to soak up a bit of culture as well as beer. Plays that are capable of being performed in a pub, lasting up to 10 minutes. The most interesting, funny, surprising, dramatic or outrageous plays are being sought to entertain and delight Queenstown audiences.

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When writing, you will need to bear in mind that your play will be performed in a pub, using the tables and chairs, props and space readily available in a bar, or easily carried on by the performers.

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All entries will be judged on their originality and entertainment value by a panel and shortlisted to a maximum of ten. These ten plays will be performed in front of a live audience, who will then decide the supreme winner. The winner will receive the highly coveted and esteemed pint pot.

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Begun in Tenby, Wales in 2008, Pint-sized plays has quickly become established as a premier international competition for short plays. Now Remarkable Theatre, Queenstown has launched Pint-Sized Plays NZ To encourage new writing and introduce a new audience to the entertainment of live theatre. Performances have been throughout the district in Cromwell, Wanaka, Arrowtown and Queenstown.

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COMPETITION RESULTS

 

2025 RESULTS

The overall winners were:

  • 1st Place: 200 Below Zero- Andrew Jarocki, Queenstown, NZ

  • 2nd = Place: Into the Sunset- Lars Wyatt, Queenstown, NZ

  • 2nd = Place: We Are What We Eat- Lindsey Brown, Auckland, NZ

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The writers of the other finalist plays were:

  • A Flicker - Guy Newsham, Canada

  • Technology Tradie - Sienna Childs, Queenstown, NZ

  • Souls - Brian Johnston, Southland, NZ

  • Happy Husband Hunting  - Rex McGregor, Auckland, NZ

  • The Night Show - CC Smith, Cromwell, NZ

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2024 RESULTS

  • 1st Place: I Used to be the Pretty One - Lindsey Brown, Auckland, NZ

  • 2nd Place: The Interview - Sheree Veysey, Auckland, NZ

  • 3rd Place: The High Priestess and the Fool - Elle Bell, Auckland, NZ

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2023 RESULTS

  • 1st Place: The Camembert - Tim Hambleton, Christchurch, NZ 

  • 2nd Place: Out of the Woods - Marion Low, Cromwell, NZ 

  • 3rd Place: Lost Property - Doc Watson, Bath, UK 

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2022 RESULTS: View the Bannockburn Hall video playlist

  • 1st Place: Out of Time - Phena Byrne, Queenstown, NZ 

  • 2nd Place: Namaste - Lindsey Brown, Auckland, NZ

  • 3rd Place: Parent Teacher Interviews - Lindsey Brown, Auckland, NZ

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2021 RESULTS: View the Sherwood video playlist or Yonder video playlist

  • 1st Place: Unreasonable Situations - Lindsey Brown, Auckland, NZ

  • 2nd Place: Mrs Jansen Isn’t Here Now - Steven Korbar, US 

  • 3rd = Place: Baptism by Fire - Tamsin Pinder, UK 

  • 3rd = Place: From Scratch - Richard Layton, UK 
     

2020 - Delayed due to COVID-19 circumstances.

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2019 RESULTS

  • 1st Place: Fabio the Great - Elspeth Tilley, Wellington NZ 

  • 2nd Place: The Group - Phena Byrne, Queenstown, NZ 

  • 3rd Place: A Beer with Dad - Myles Lind, Auckland, NZ 
     

2018 - Not held this year

 

2017 RESULTS

  • 1st Place: Conceited Council Consents - Myles Lind, Queenstown, NZ 

  • 2nd Place: Waiting to Go - Elspeth Tilley

  • 3rd = Place: Inquisition by Richard Harris 

  • 3rd = Place: Haier by Melanie Grindell, NZ 

 

2016 RESULTS

  • 1st Place: Storm in a Champagne Flute - Trevor Suthers, UK

  • 2nd Place: On Cue - Phena Byrne, Queenstown

  • 3rd Place: The Police Interview - Tim Hambleton, Dunedin, NZ

 

2015 RESULTS

  • 1st Place: The Epiphany - David MacGregor, Michigan 

  • 2nd Place: Speed your Love - Jo Blick, Wellington

  • 3rd Place: The Turnaround - David Vazdauskas, Maine, USA

 

2014 RESULTS

  • 1st Place: Fagbutt in the Fishbowl  - Derek Webb, Wales

  • 2nd Place: Towards the Perpetuation of the Human Species  - David MacGregor, USA

  • 3rd = Place: Doing it Birdy Style - Stuart Crafton, USA

  • 3rd = Place: The Flat Pack Toaster  - Barbara Glass, Queenstown, NZ 

 

2013 RESULTS - Inaugural event

  • 1st Place: Dinosaur - Mike Legge, Queenstown 

  • 2nd Place: HOWZAT - David Cantwell, Queenstown

  • 3rd Place: The Visionaries - Barbara Glass, Queenstown 

 

 

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