This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23502671

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tom Stoppard wins annual Pen Pinter prize Sir Tom Stoppard wins annual Pen Pinter prize
(about 7 hours later)
Playwright Sir Tom Stoppard has been named as the recipient of this year's Pen Pinter prize.Playwright Sir Tom Stoppard has been named as the recipient of this year's Pen Pinter prize.
The award was established in 2009 by writers' charity Pen - which promotes freedom of expression - in memory of the British writer Harold Pinter.The award was established in 2009 by writers' charity Pen - which promotes freedom of expression - in memory of the British writer Harold Pinter.
Sir Tom, 76, will be presented with the prize at the British Library on 7 October and will deliver an address.Sir Tom, 76, will be presented with the prize at the British Library on 7 October and will deliver an address.
Alongside plays like Arcadia, he is known for co-writing the Oscar-winning screenplay for Shakespeare in Love.Alongside plays like Arcadia, he is known for co-writing the Oscar-winning screenplay for Shakespeare in Love.
His other stage work includes The Real Thing and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. His other stage work includes The Real Thing and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead.
This year's panel of judges - which selects an "unflinching, unswerving" writer for the honour - included Christopher Bland; 2012 winner and former Children's Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Antonia Fraser, David Lan and the president of English Pen, and chair of judges, Gillian Slovo. This year's panel of judges - which selects an "unflinching, unswerving" writer for the honour - included Christopher Bland, 2012 winner and former Children's Laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Antonia Fraser, David Lan and the president of English Pen, and chair of judges, Gillian Slovo.
South African-born novelist Slovo said the judges "agreed unanimously that Tom's lifetime's work meets the challenging criteria set by Harold Pinter when he described those characteristics he most admired in a writer... those of courage and truthfulness, a determination to tell things as they are.''South African-born novelist Slovo said the judges "agreed unanimously that Tom's lifetime's work meets the challenging criteria set by Harold Pinter when he described those characteristics he most admired in a writer... those of courage and truthfulness, a determination to tell things as they are.''
Sir Tom paid tribute to Pinter - who died in 2008 aged 78 - calling him "one of the reasons I wanted to write plays".Sir Tom paid tribute to Pinter - who died in 2008 aged 78 - calling him "one of the reasons I wanted to write plays".
He added: "I had the sense not to attempt a 'Pinter play', but in other respects, as the years went by, he became and remained a model for the kind of fearless integrity which Pen exists to defend among writers."He added: "I had the sense not to attempt a 'Pinter play', but in other respects, as the years went by, he became and remained a model for the kind of fearless integrity which Pen exists to defend among writers."
Sir Tom will share his prize with an international writer of courage, selected by him and Pen's Writers at Risk committee.Sir Tom will share his prize with an international writer of courage, selected by him and Pen's Writers at Risk committee.
Last year, Carol Ann Duffy shared the prize with exiled Syrian author Samar Yazbek - whose book A Woman In The Crossfire was based on diaries she kept during the early stages of the Syrian conflict. Last year Carol Ann Duffy shared the prize with exiled Syrian author Samar Yazbek, whose book A Woman in the Crossfire was based on diaries she kept during the early stages of the Syrian conflict.