Richard Bean

Richard Bean, born in East Hull in 1956, is an English playwright.

Early years

Bean studied Social Psychology at Loughborough University and graduated with a 2:1 BSc Hons. He then worked an occupational psychologist,^[1] having previously worked in a bread plant for a year and a half after leaving school.

Between 1989 and 1994, Bean also worked as a stand-up comedian and went on to be one of the writers and performers of the sketch show Control Group Six (BBC Radio) which was nominated for a Writers Guild Award.

Theatre career

In 1995 he wrote the libretto for Stephen McNeff's opera Paradise of Fools, which premiered at the Unicorn Theatre.

His first full-length play Of Rats and Men, set in a psychology lab, was staged at the Canal Cafe Theatre in 1996 and went on to the Edinburgh Festival. He adapted it for BBC Radio, starring Anton Lesser, and it was nominated for a Sony Award.

Plays

• One Man, Two Guvnors (2011) premiered at the National Theatre, directed by Nicholas Hytner^[2]
• The Heretic (2011) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Jeremy Herrin^[3]
• The Big Fellah (2010) premiered at the Lyric Hammersmith, directed by Max Stafford-Clark^[4]
• House of Games (2010), an adaptation of the film by David Mamet, premiered at the Almeida Theatre, directed by Lindsay Posner^[5]
• England People Very Nice (2009) premiered at the National Theatre, directed by Nicholas Hytner^[6]
• The English Game (2008) premiered at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, directed by Sean Holmes^[7]
• In the Club (2007) premiered at the Hampstead Theatre, directed by David Grindley^[8]
• Up On Roof (2006) premiered at the Hull Truck Theatre, directed by Gareth Tudor Price^[9]
• The Hypochondriac (2005), a new version of Molière's play, premiered at the Almeida Theatre, directed by Lindsay Posner^[10]
• Harvest (2005) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Wilson Milam^[11]
• Honeymoon Suite (2004) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Paul Miller^[12]
• Under the Whaleback (2003) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Richard Wilson^[13]
• Smack Family Robinson (2003) premiered at the Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, directed by Jeremy Herrin^[14]
• The God Botherers (2003) premiered at the Bush Theatre, directed by Will Kerley^[15]
• The Mentalists (2002) premiered at the National Theatre, directed by Sean Holmes^[16]
• Mr England (2000) premiered at the Crucible Theatre Sheffield, directed by Paul Miller^[17]
• Toast (1999) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Richard Wilson^[18]

Awards

• Critics' Circle Theatre Awards 2011: Best New Play One Man, Two Guvnors
• Evening Standard Awards 2011: Best New Play The Heretic and One Man, Two Guvnors (both plays joint winners)
• TMA Awards 2006: Best New Play nomination for Up On Roof
• Critics' Circle Theatre Awards 2005: Best New Play: Harvest
• Evening Standard Awards 2005: Best New Play nomination for Harvest
• Olivier Awards 2005: Best New Play nomination for Harvest
• George Devine Award 2002: Best New Play: Under the Whaleback
• Pearson Award 2002: Best New Play: Honeymoon Suite.

References

External links

• Theatre Record and its annual Indexes
• British Theatre Guide for reviews and background information
• "Richard Bean: Hot new playwright", British Theatre Guide interview 2001
• "Richard Bean: Blurred Boundaries" (The English Game), Daily Telegraph interview 10 May 2008