Arts competition for over 70s launched
A new national arts competition has been launched to encourage people over 70 to create works while in quarantine.
The King Lear Prizes aim to encourage ordinary people with no professional experience to create works of writing, poetry, drama, music and art.
The competition takes its name from the Shakespeare play, which was written in 1605-1606 during outbreaks of the plague in London.
The initial £1,000 prizes on offer are for short stories, poetry, solo musical compositions, short plays and art.
The competition is open to any UK resident over seventy years old, and is supported by the older people’s charity Age UK.
Short-listed and winning entries will be performed by eminent actors and musicians, and broadcast online for the public to see.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, said he hoped the initiative was a great chance for people to explore the arts and show off their creative side.
He said: "I am pleased to support this scheme and I am sure the judges will have a tough time on their hands when the high calibre of West Midlands’ submissions start rolling in."
Members of the public should submit entries by email or post.
Full details of the competition are available at the King Lear Prizes website kinglearprizes.org.uk.
