The Royal Shakespeare Company is one of a select number of theatre companies to receive the 1999 Pearson Playwrights Scheme Award. Under the scheme, Lee Hall has been appointed as the RSC's 'writer in residence' from March 1999 until February 2000.

A young dramatist who has written predominantly for television, radio and film, Lee's work includes the extraordinary 'Spoonface Steinberg' (BBC Radio 4 and BBC2), 'The Student Prince' (BBC1) and 'Mr Puntilla and His Man Matti' (Almeida). His dedication to his native city of Newcastle has seen a flurry of activity with Live Theatre, which has just presented 'Cooking With Elvis'. This was expanded and rewritten for the stage from one of the plays in Lee's radio quartet, 'God's Country', which included 'Spoonface Steinberg'.

Simon Reade, Literary Manager for the RSC, said of Lee's appointment:

"I am delighted that the Pearson Award has made it possible for one of Britain's most exciting writers to work with the RSC for a year. Lee Hall has gained a huge amount of experience in different media, yet he has always been theatre-literate. His breadth of experience, the psychological intensity of his dramatic portraits and the epic ambition of his story-telling make him an ideal writer for the RSC."

During his time with the RSC, Lee will be developing three projects, including his play 'Foote's Last Stand', a reworking of Plato's 'Symposium' and a special play for children under five. He will also work closely with the company's Literary department as a dramaturg for the repertoire.

Former writers in residence at the RSC under the Pearson scheme include David Greig and Liz Lochhead.