Massive congratulations to Arena Theatre Company and playwright Declan Greene, who has been nominated for the 2010 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award - Louis Esson Prize for Drama for his latest play, Moth. A co-commission between Arena and Malthouse Theatre, Moth premiered in Melbourne in May and is the company’s latest production for audiences aged 15 years and over.

“Moth holds a special place in my heart - it is a tough, real and beautiful piece of writing. I feel privileged to have been a part of its development and look forward to seeing it come to life many more times in coming years. Declan is a unique talent; I congratulate him for this well-earned nomination.”- Chris Kohn, Artistic Director

This is the second co-commission between Arena and Malthouse Theatre to be nominated for a Victorian Premier’s Literary Award with Lally Katz’s Goodbye Vaudeville Charlie Mudd winning the 2009 Louis Esson Prize for Drama.

An intense and rapid-fire two-hander, Moth extends Arena’s commitment to producing new work that engages with young audiences and marks Greene’s first commission for the company. Early stages of the script’s development included workshops between Greene, director Chris Kohn, and Year 12 drama students of Buckley Park Secondary College.

The winner of the 2010 prize will be announced on 28 September 2010 at an event hosted by The Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas. Further information on the awards is available at Premier's Literary Awards.

Take a peek at the Arena website to find out more.