The award, created in the memory of the renowned playwright, screenwriter and Bristol Drama alumnus, will support Samuel, who is based in London, in writing critical articles on Kevin's works using the archive to provide new insights. Kevin’s archive was donated to the Theatre Collection by his family following his death in 2014.

This comprises hundreds of scripts, correspondence, manuscripts and publicity material detailing Kevin's work from initial idea to finished product from across his entire career.

Samuel is an experienced playwright, dramaturg, writer and teacher. He has written plays for several leading UK theatres, read plays for the National Theatre’s literary department, and taught playwriting at Duke University, North Carolina.

Samuel’s plays have been produced at theatres including the National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, the Bush Theatre and Kiln Theatre.

Samuel writes a weekly Substack newsletter about twentieth-century novels and other literary and theatrical matters called The Essence of the Thing, where the critical articles of Kevin’s works will initially be published, as well as via the Theatre Collection’s blog.

Samuel said: “I was lucky enough to see most of the premiere productions of Kevin Elyot’s plays, and they’ve always meant a great deal to me as a playwright and a theatregoer, so it’s a huge honour to win the Kevin Elyot Award 2023.

“My intention is to use the award to write a series of critical pieces on Kevin’s moving and exquisitely structured plays and adaptations. I can’t wait to spend some time in his archive to learn more about his writing process, and to share my reflections in my Substack newsletter and elsewhere. Thank you to the panel and to the University of Bristol Theatre Collection. I’m delighted!”