Edson wins Tinniswood Award 2025

“A hugely entertaining take on the Robinson Crusoe story. Friday is an upper-class castaway outraged by Crusoe’s entitled behaviour. But we suspect there’s more to Friday than the arrogant posho we first encounter – and sure enough there is. A slow burn brilliantly achieved, this play skilfully uses the inspiration of a classic tale to reframe assumptions about race and class in a witty and engaging way. Long narrations are often the radio writer’s lazy option, but Edson Burton’s are exquisite. This is a terrific writer with a deep love of language and a thorough understanding of structure.” Judging panel

We're all super excited and proud to announce Edson Burton as the winner of the 2025 Tinniswood Award, which is organised by The Writers' Guild of Great Britain and the Society of Authors.

The award, in recognition of the best audio drama script of the year, was for Man Friday, a BBC Radio 4 drama broadcast re-imagining Daniel Defoe's classic story Robinson Crusoe from the perspective of Man Friday.

Edson Burton received the prize of £3,000, sponsored by the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society, at the BBC Audio Drama Awards on 30 March 2025. He was presented the award by writer and actor Paterson Joseph.

This well-deserved recognition highlights Edson Burton’s exceptional storytelling, cementing Man Friday as a powerful and thought-provoking reimagining of a literary classic. Though, it wasn't the 'Twerking' award that one of our colleagues misheard he'd won!

As Edson put it, it was one of those rare productions where everything just clicked, nothing felt forced, and the cast came together naturally to create something truly special.

A big well done from all the Trinity Team!