International Playwriting Competition 2011: Meet the judges

Meet the judging panel for this year's International Playwriting Competition.

Dame Eileen Atkins - Legendary star of screen and stage

Dame Eileen Atkins is a much cherished star of stage and screen.

A 2011 Emmy nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for her role in Upstairs Downstairs - Eileen's illustrious acting career has been littered with Bafta, Emmy, Obie, Golden Globe and Tony accolades, many for her performance in BBC's Cranford.

As well as numerous stage and TV roles, Eileen has starred in blockbusters such as Gosford Park and Cold Mountain.

Also an accomplished screenwriter, Eileen created the popular TV series, Upstairs Downstairs and House of Elliot.

Ayesha Dharker - Internationally acclaimed Hollywood actress

Acclaimed Hollywood actress Ayesha Dharker is internationally known for starring in Star Wars; Episode II – Attack of the Clones, as well as her award-winning role in The Terrorist.

She was one of the original cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Bombay Dreams, which secured her another accolade.

Ayesha's TV credits include Dr. Who, Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee and Coronation Street, and she's currently filming The Indian Doctor.

Roy Williams OBE - Multi award-winning playwright

One of Britain's leading playwrights, Roy's contribution to theatre has earned him an OBE along with a string of other accolades.

His most recent play Sucker Punch was Olivier nominated, whilst Starstruck earned him three separate awards and his TV work won a Bafta.

Roy is an expert at writing for radio, having worked as a regular scriptwriter for the BBC World Service drama series Westway.

Brendan Griggs - Director of dance and drama at the British Council

Brendan has run British Council cultural relations programmes in Japan, Cyprus and Italy.

Most recently he worked for the Canadian High Commission in London as Head of Public Programmes, before returning to the British Council last year as Director for Drama and Dance.

He studied English, French and Russian literature at Queens' College, Cambridge University.

Richard Porter - Acting controller for BBC Global News

Richard has had a long career in journalism, during which he has spent many years overseeing national and international news.

He's currently acting controller of English, BBC Global News, where he's responsible for the editorial content of BBC World Service English, BBC World News and the international BBC News website.

Marion Nancarrow - Executive producer for BBC audio drama

Marion has directed more than 200 dramas for the BBC, half of them for the BBC World Drama strand, which she ran for 11 years, working with writers and performers across the world.

With the British Council, she has run drama workshops in Ghana, South Africa, Malawi and the Middle East and the first second language Radio Writing Residency. Awards include Sony Gold and Silver, CRE Race in the Media and a New York Festival Medal.