The five runners-up were:
Square Pegs by Jenny Devaux and Phil Butcher
Panel judge Lizzie Worsdell said: “Having grown up in the countryside, I was laughing out loud at the accuracy of this script. A feel-good, easy read about what happens when you decide to leave the shining lights of London for a slightly different, more sedate way of life.”
Golden Sands by Toby Walker
Panel judge Jessica Martin said: “An irresistible black comedy set in a rainy seaside town on its last legs. Toby Walker has created engaging quirky characters we will want to stay with as a murder mystery unfolds, threatening to hammer the final nail in the coffin of the doomed Chortle-on-Sea. The tone is set for sardonic, cryptic comedy with a hint of Royston Vasey. It’ll raise more than a chortle… a comedy classic in the making.”
Sad Sunk Rock by Tom Worsley
Panel judge Jane Lamacraft said: “What I loved about Sad Sunk Rock was how it embraced the theme of the pain of human connection and lack of connection. In the extreme conditions of a scientific research outpost on an isolated rock in the North Atlantic Ocean, a cast of oddball outcasts, including ‘a molly-coddled millennial’, struggle to find or avoid opportunities to relate. A gag-a-second script, with both laughs and emotional moments that take you completely by surprise.”
Scribbling by Amy Xander
Panel judge Robert Ross said: “In ‘Scribbling’ we have the simple storyline situation of an outsider entering an established community, in order to generate ripples of effect and waves of laughter. It is populated by intriguing characters, and interesting characters, and irritating characters... but always very, very funny characters. Puns, misunderstandings, and diverse and diverting scenarios give ‘Scribblings’ a sense of mature writing, and fully relatable comedy.”
Members by Jack Bradfield and Fergus Macdonald
Panel judge Jason Haigh-Ellery said: “I've been involved with comedy on stage for many years, having produced ‘Yes Prime Minister’ and ‘Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense’, and it's something I've always wanted to do with Big Finish. What struck me about Members was that it was a very original concept. I've always enjoyed political comedies, and enjoyed the fact that this was set in the past and brought in both historical and political aspects. This was both entertaining and incredibly funny.”
All six of the finalists’ scripts will now enter production with release dates to be announced in 2024
