THE VAMPYRE MAN by Joseph O’Connor is one of five radio plays on the prestigious Tinniswood Award longlist.

Joe’s play explores the relationship between Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula, and Henry Irving, the famous actor and manager of the Lyceum Theatre. Before he was an author, Stoker managed the books to Irving’s recklessly run Lyceum. Many posit that Irving was the archetype for Stoker’s most famous creation, Count Dracula. THE VAMPYRE MAN was originally broadcast on BBC Radio 3, directed by Stephen Wright and Jenny Thompson and produced by Gemma McMullen.

Joe’s dramatic work encompasses radio, film and stage work. His novels include COWBOYS AND INDIANS (shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize), THE SALESMAN (in development with Tiger Aspect for ITV) and STAR OF THE SEA (currently being developed as a feature by Parallel Films).

The Tinniswood Award was established by the Society of Authors and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain in memory of Peter Tinniswood and to celebrate high standards in radio drama. Previous winners include Stephen Wyatt, Murray Gold, Morwenna Banks and Christopher William Hill. The other nominations are: FAR SIDE OF THE MOORE by Sean Grundy, DREAM OF WHITE HORSES by Linda Marshall Griffiths, FUGUE STATE by Julian Simpson and TOMMIES: 14th October 1914 by Nick Warburton.

The shortlist is announced on 5th January 2016.