THE winner of the annual Paul Darby Prize for new plays will take to the stage at Ealing’s Questors Theatre this week.

Futures, by Jonathan Skinner, is a comedy about a London trader who falls in love with a homeless woman he meets on a bench.

The Darby Prize, launched last year in memory of a sound designer at the theatre, aims to encourage new stage plays and emerging writers.

A former resident of West Acton, Mr Skinner said: ““I vividly remember coming to see a play at The Questors long before I ever dreamt of writing drama myself.

“So, it will be somewhat surreal to see my own play performed here all these years later.

“With Futures I wanted to write a piece with a minimum of props and scenery. A single bench seemed about as simple as it gets.”

Mr Skinner received a £1,000 award for his new one-act play, which will be showing from November 26-29.

“I've been very lucky to have such an experienced director and terrific actors performing," he added.

Over 70 submissions were received and then shortlisted to four.

In memory of Paul Darby, the prize gave favourable consideration to plays that made creative use of lighting and sound.

Futures will be followed each night by the runner-up play, I Am the Walrus by Peter Barrett.

It is set in 33AD, when two men meet in the desert and fall into a conversation about religion, which is full of ingenious and entertaining wit.

Both writers will be taking part in a Q&A with the audience after the performance on November 27.

To book tickets, visit http://www.ealingtheatre.com or call box office on 0208 5675184.