The Scottish Community Drama Association (SCDA) was founded in 1926 to act as the umbrella organisation for amateur and community theatre in Scotland. As one aspect of the service provided, the SCDA playwriting competitions encourage both the promotion of new plays to member clubs, and the works of new playwrights in Scotland and beyond.

SCDA now announces a new Play on Words playwriting competition for one-act plays in two sections – an Open Section and a Section for Youth Plays (to be performed by actors under 18 years of age). An entry must not be performed or published prior to this performance, lasts between 20 and 55 minutes in performance, and is for two or more characters. There is an entry fee of £10 per play.

There are monetary prizes totalling £1600 for the top three plays in each section. These top three plays will also be performed at the Play on Words Festival in Largs, Ayrshire, on 3rd and 4th November 2006. Further details, information and entry forms are available from:

John Fraser, 37 Balmain Street, Montrose, DD10 8BG. Tel: 01674 675466. Email: jkfraser@tinyworld.co.uk  or visit the SCDA website (under the “Latest” section) www.scda.org.uk

Deadline for entries is 31st January 2006