After three years and 1,470 entries from 76 countries, the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation has announced the seven winners of its first International Cultural Competition for an original theatrical play. The winners, who will split $800,000 in prize money, were selected by 60 international theater professionals, including critics, directors, actors and teachers.
The recipient of the $250,000 first prize is Manjula Padman- abhan of India for her play "The Harvest." The second prize of $200,000 was awarded to Anton Juan of the Philippines for "Tuko! Tuko! or Princess of the Lizard Moon." The $150,000 third prize went to Nagle Jackson of the United States for "The Elevation of Thieves."Four prizes of $50,000 each went to runners-up: Gabriel Lanci of the United States for "The Resurrection Play," Panayiotis Montis of Greece for "Save," Peter Muller of Hungary for "Shadow of the Vampire" and Isis Maria Pereira de Azevedo of Brazil for "Mont-de-Piete."
The foundation plans to repeat the competition every four years and will eventually add contests in other fields, such as music, art and philosophy. The awards, along with the noncompetitive $250,000 Onassis Prizes for International Understanding and Social Achievement, Culture and Environment, will be presented in Athens by President Costis Stephan- opoulos of Greece Sept. 16.