The Stage newspaper has announced the three finalists of its Critic Search 2015 competition to be Lee Anderson from Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, Dave Fargnoli from Brighton and Jafar Iqbal from Cardiff.
The finalists have been chosen by a panel including The Stage's editor Alistair Smith, The Stage lead critic and associate editor Mark Shenton, The Stage lead critic Natasha Tripney, actor and playwright Cush Jumbo, Sheffield Theatres artistic director Daniel Evans and actor and playwright Stephanie Street.
The shortlist consisted of the top entrant from each of twelve regions of the UK, who were each invited to review a production at a local theatre. Lee Anderson reviewed Care at Watford Palace Theatre mentored by Henry Hitchins of the Evening Standard, Jafar Iqbal reviewed {150} at Royal Opera house Stores in Aberdare mentored by Lyn Gardner of The Guardian and Dave Fargnoli reviewed Constellations at Theatre Royal in Brighton mentored by Matt Trueman of What's On Stage.
The three finalists will review Patrick Marber's The Red Lion at the National Theatre. The winner, announced in August. will receive a prize of £1,000 and an opportunity to write regularly for The Stage.