Australian actor and writer Christopher Stollery has been named the first recipient of the Cooper Prize, a newly established global playwriting award. The announcement was made on Monday, 9 September at Melbourne’s 16th Street Actors Studio, where an audience gathered to hear readings from the four finalists’ works.

The Cooper Prize Judging Panel and Christopher Stollery. Photo supplied

The Cooper Prize, which includes a $10,000 cash award, aims to foster independence of thought and the exploration of diverse perspectives in contemporary theatre. Stollery’s winning entry, The Copernican, captivated both the audience and the panel of judges with its unique narrative and exploration of complex ideas.

Speaking after receiving the prize, Stollery said, “This prize is a godsend for me. Writing is one thing, but getting someone to read it is another challenge entirely… [The prize] has provided me the evidence to allay the doubts, push through any writer’s block and dedicate the time to ride this unicorn home. And the cash is nice, too.”

Stollery’s play, set in a ‘pre-truth’ age, explores themes of superstition, religious dogma, and societal control, resonated with the judging panel chaired by theatre director Iain Sinclair.

Reflecting on...