Duncan Sarkies

By the start of 1998 Duncan Sarkies had written seven plays, including Chapman Tripp winner Saving Grace — he had also adapted the tale of a man who claims to be Jesus, into a movie. Collaborations with brother Robert include hit movie Scarfies, and 2012 black comedy Two Little Boys (based on Duncan’s debut novel). He has also brought his dark, quirky sensibility to Flight of the Conchords, short films and stand-up comedy.

Make a note of the name — Duncan Sarkies. Sarkies is only 24, but Saving Grace, his first full length play is astonishingly good. With this one work the playwright has leapfrogged “promising” and gone straight to the first division. The Listener, reviewing Sarkies’ play Saving Grace in 1994