John Godber

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John Harold Godber (born May 1956) is an English playwright, known mainly for his innovative theatre and observational 'comedies with an edge'.

He was born in Upton, near Pontefract, Yorkshire, the son of a miner. He trained as a teacher of drama at Bretton Hall College and became artistic director of Hull Truck Theatre Company in 1984. Before venturing into plays, he was head of drama at Minsthorpe High School, the school that he attended as a student, and later wrote for TV series Brookside and Grange Hill. Whilst at Minsthorpe he taught future actor Adrian Hood (Preston Front, Up n Under film).

In 2004 he was made Professor of Popular Theatre at Liverpool Hope University.

His earlier style utilises an interest in German Expressionism, an economic and physical style inspired by this and the inspiration of Bretton Hall Head of School (Drama) John Hodgson. His later and more naturalistic style reflects Godber's growth as a member of the middle classes and an Ayckbournesque world of Drama. He says that the 'new Godber' is perhaps a writer like Tim Firth.

Contents

[edit] Plays

[edit] 1970s

[edit] 1980s

  • Cramp (1981)
  • Cry Wolf (1981) First professional production.
  • E.P.A. (Educational Priority Area) (1982)
  • Happy Jack (1982)
  • Young Hearts Run Free (1983)
  • Bouncers (for Yorkshire actors) (1983)
  • September in the Rain (1983)
  • Up 'n' Under (1984)
  • A Christmas Carol (1984, adaptation)
  • Shakers (1985) (co-written with Jane Thornton)
  • Up 'n' Under II (1985)
  • Blood, Sweat and Tears (1986)
  • Cramp - the Musical (1986)
  • Teechers (1987)
  • Oliver Twist (1987, adaptation)
  • Salt of the Earth (1988)

[edit] 1990s

  • On the Piste (1990)
  • Everyday Heroes (1990)
  • Shakers Re-stirred (1991)
  • Bouncers - 1990s Remix (1991)
  • Happy Families (1991)
  • April in Paris (1992)
  • The Office Party (1992)
  • Passion Killers (1994)
  • Dracula (1995, adaptation)
  • Lucky Sods (1995)
  • Shakers the Musical (1996)
  • Gym and Tonic (1996)
  • Weekend Breaks (1997)
  • It Started with a Kiss (1997)
  • Hooray for Hollywood (1998)
  • The Weed (1998)
  • Perfect Pitch (1998)
  • Unleashed (1998)
  • Thick as a Brick (1999)
  • Big Trouble in the Little Bedroom (1999)

[edit] 2000s

  • Seasons in the Sun (2000)
  • On a Night Like This (2000)
  • Our House (2001)
  • Departures (2001)
  • Moby Dick (2002, adaptation)
  • Young Hearts (2002)
  • Men of the World (2002)
  • Reunion (2002)
  • Next Best Thing (2007)
  • Sold (2007)
  • Our House (2008)

[edit] External links


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