SHORTLIST tells the story of two enemy novelists who duel for the ultimate writing prize in a fast-paced, war-of-the-words comedy. Multiple Fringe First award-winning playwright Brian Parks plunges into the writing world with a Withnail-esque joust between literature’s two sharpest pens. Year after year, Higgins and Houghton find themselves pitched against each other on the shortlist for literature’s number-one title, never winning. But this year is different, each primed to strike and finally grab it. All that stands in their way is each other.

Brian Parks' plays are fast-paced, dark comedies. In 2019 The Scotsman called Parks "one of the great absurdists of Fringe theatre". His previous scripts have gathered international acclaim and his work is beloved by those theatre enthusiasts in the know.

Directing SHORTLIST, we are thrilled to have landed the dynamic Margarett Perry, New York-based theatre director, herself a Fringe First award winner. And the cast completes our international dream team; the wonderfully talented Matthew Boston and the fiendishly charming Daniel Llewelyn-Williams, two darlings of the Fringe. Renowned for their roles in previous hits, Enterprise, The Golfer and The House (all three by Brian Parks), Horse Country, Not About Heroes and A Regular Little Houdini.