Nick Payne won the 2009 George Devine Award for Most Promising Playwright. In 2010, he was the Pearson Playwright-in-Residence at the Bush Theatre. His first play, If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet, was producedat the Bush Theatre in October 2009. His second play, Wanderlust, was produced at the Royal Court Theatre in September 2010.

“Nick Payne’s urgent new version of Sophocles Electra is another in a long line of boundary breaking offerings…. Payne [is] one of our brightest new playwrights… Electra-fying"—The Evening Standard“Poised and punchy”—The Arts Desk“Payne’s translation has a flinty seriousness… A punchy account of a classic play.”—The Stage“dark, bloody, anguished… Payne’s version, linguistically, is spare and simplified, with a graceful eloquence; quite stylised on the page, but completely natural in the mouths of the actors…” 4 stars—Exuent Magazine“Nick Payne's new version [has] the feel of a contemporary gangster movie… a tough modern version of the tragedy that has poetic moments and maintains pace throughout”—British Theatre Guide