LOCAL amateur actor Andy Gittins has been pipped to the post in an international playwriting competition by a RADA trained actress and former BBC producer. Andy, 52, who lives in Windsor and works at Waterstone’s in Slough, was one of three first time playwrights out of 304 entries worldwide to win The Windsor Fringe Marriott Award for New Drama Writing.

But at a presentation on Saturday in The Ex-Services and Social Club, where the winning plays were performed, Suzy Clements, from Somerset, won the overall award and a £500 prize for her dark comedy Fairylights, which follows two bickering sisters as they prepare for a funeral, a wedding and a christening. Andy’s play, Young Shakspeer, took him 10 years to write and was set in a Deptford pub where Shakespeare is celebrating his birthday with Christopher Marlowe.

The Windsor Fringe Marriott Award for New Drama Writing has gone from strength to strength since 2004.

Each year three amateur playwrights are chosen as winners, and have their plays performed during Windsor Fringe Drama Nights.

One of the three playwrights is chosen as an overall winner, and receives a £500 cash prize. All three plays are performed each night for three nights in a row during the Windsor Fringe.

Fay Weldon: “The recent awards event at the Windsor Fringe Festival showed to what degree live theatre is appreciated over the yawning boredom of today's box. The audience was enthusiastic, the hall crowded, tension mounted as the prize was announced.

“Three very good new half-hour plays surfaced from 171 entrants from ten countries around the world.

“Accomplished writing, lively performances, new talent on its way to the professional top, thanks to the efforts of local Windsor Fringe committee members, and theatre enthusiasts who give their time and experience to make sure it gets there.”