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Peter Shaffer

PETER SHAFFER

  (1926 - 2016)
Nationality:    British
email:    n/a     Website:    n/a

Literary Agent:    Macnaughton Representation  

Peter Levin Shaffer (died 06 June 2016) was born in Liverpool, England, on May 15, 1926, along with his twin brother, Anthony, who would also become a writer. Shaffer studied history on a scholarship from Cambridge University, and worked a number of odd jobs including coal miner, bookstore clerk, and assistant at the New York Public Library, before discovering his dramatic talents. Shaffer's first play, the Salt Land (1954) was presented on the BBC. Encouraged by this success, Shaffer continued to write and established his reputation as a playwright in 1958 with the production of Five Finger Exercise which opened in London under the direction of John Gielgud and won the Evening Standard Drama Award. When Five Finger Exercises moved to New York in 1959, it was equally well-received and landed Shaffer the Drama Critics Award. Shaffer's canon contains a unique mix of philosophical dramas and satirical comedies. the Royal Hunt of the Sun (1964) presents the tragic conquest of Peru by the Spanish, while Black Comedy (1965) takes a hilarious look at the antics of a group of characters feeling their way around a pitch black room--although the stage is, of course, actually flooded with light. Equus (1973) won Shaffer the 1975 Tony Award for Best Play as well as the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. An electrifying journey into the mind of a 17-year-old stableboy who has plunged a spike into the eyes of six horses, Equus ran for over 1000 performances on Broadway. Shaffer followed this success with Amadeus (1979) which won the Evening Standard Drama Award and the Theatre Critics Award for the London production. Amadeus tells the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and court composer antonio Salieri who, overcome with jealousy at hearing the "voice of God" coming from an "obscene child," sets out to destroy his rival. When the show moved to Broadway, it won the 1981 Tony Award for "Best Play" and, like Equus, ran for over 1000 performances. Several of Shaffer's plays have been adapted to film including the Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969), Equus (1977), Amadeus (1984) which won eight Academy Awards including "Best Picture".

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below is a list of Peter Shaffer's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         Amadeus         Balanced Of Terror         Battle of Shrivings, The         Black Comedy         Black Mischief         Equus         Establishment, The         Five Finger Exercise         Gift of the Gorgon, The         Lettice And Lovage         Merry Roosters Panto, The         Private Ear, The         Prodigal Father, The         Public Eye the         Royal Hunt of the Sun, The         Salt Land, The         White Liars, The         Whom Do I Have the Honour Of Addressing?         Yonadab

Amadeus

Amadeus
In old age, Salieri recalls his successful career as Court Composer, his hatred of Mozart, and how he contrived the brilliant young composer's demise. A musical genius, Mozart died neglected and impoverished while the mediocre Salieri lived in a blaze of fame and praise. Period 1823 Vienna and in recall, 1781-1791

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
London     1979

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Deutsch, London, 1980   978-0233972725

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Tragedy

Parts:
Male:  12            Female:  3            Other:  extras

Further Reference:

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Balanced Of Terror

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Bbc     1957

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
TV Play

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Battle of Shrivings, The

Synopsis:
Mad poet challenges old humanist not to throw him out of his home a former medieval convent whatever his behaviour.

Notes:
aka Shrivings

1st Produced:
London     1970

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
as "Shrivings", Andre Deutsch, London, 1974   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Black Comedy

Synopsis:
Reversal of light and dark, a plotful of mistaken identities based on the Chinese theatre's "Duel In the Dark Room".

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
in "Plays And Players" London, April, 1966
Samuel French Ltd (1967)   978-0573023033

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Farce 1 Act

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Black Mischief

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Bristol     1983

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Equus

Equus
17 year old boy blinds six horses with spike, case becomes a catalyst for his psychiatrists own doubts

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Andre Deutsch, London, 1973   978-0233965437

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Tragedy. - - Gay, theme/character full length

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Establishment, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
New York     1963

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Sketch in Sketch

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Five Finger Exercise

Synopsis:
Examination of a frustrated household of ostensibly well to do people leading to a scapegoat attempting suicide.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Arts, Cambridge     30 Jun 1958

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Hamish Hamilton, London, 1958   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Tragedy. - - Gay, theme/character full length

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Gift of the Gorgon, The

Synopsis:
famous playwrights death and visit to his widow by unacknowledged son who wishes to write a biography

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:

1st Published:
Viking Press, New York, 1993   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  5            Other:  extras

Further Reference:

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Lettice And Lovage

Synopsis:
theatrical and eccentric tourist guide in a shabby stately home enlivens history with her over imaginative fantasies

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Bath     1987

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Deutsch, London, 1988   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  3            Other:  extras

Further Reference:

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Merry Roosters Panto, The

Synopsis:
Variations on the traditional story of CinderElla by the cast of Oh What A Lovely War.

Notes:
music And lyrics by Stanley Myers And Steven Vinaver, Aka It's About Cinderella

1st Produced:
London     1963

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Seasonal Christmas entertainment

Parts:
Male:  10            Female:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Private Ear, The

Synopsis:
Hero loves classical music and his hi-fi, his sexual skirmishes with the girl are conducted with help from his match making friend as a synonym for the class war.

Notes:
coupled with the Public Eye

1st Produced:
Cambridge     1962

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Hamish Hamilton, London, 1962   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
One Act

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Prodigal Father, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Bbc     1957

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Radio Play

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Public Eye the

Synopsis:
An accountant hires a private detective to report on his wife with action taking place in his office; a role swap ensues.

Notes:
coupled with the Private Ear

1st Produced:
Cambridge     1962

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Hamish Hamilton, London, 1962   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
One Act

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Royal Hunt of the Sun, The

Royal Hunt of the Sun, The
the Spanish expedition under Pizzaro to the land of the Incas told in dazzling spectacle and moral chiaroscuro. After general absolution for any crimes they may commit against the pagan Incas, the conquerors set forth upon the sea. the Inca god is a sun god, ruler of the riches and people of Peru and thought to be immortal. But the Spaniards have come in conquest rather than in reverence. there is misunderstanding, confusion, and slaughter: the Spaniards kill 3000 unarmed Incas and take the sun god captive. the ransom is 9000 pounds of gold. the avaricious Spaniards mutiny, try the sun god in kangaroo court and garrote him. He does not revive the Incas behold their dead god.

Notes:
music by Marc Wilkinson

1st Produced:
National Theatre, Chichester     1964

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Hamish Hamilton; 1st Edition edition (1964)   B000GVD99W

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Tragedy. - - Gay, theme/character full length

Parts:
Male:  22            Female:  2            Other:  extras

Further Reference:

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Salt Land, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Itv     1955

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
TV Play

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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White Liars, The

Synopsis:
A lesson in truth and falsehood as a rock group tour a small Fnglish coastal town and encounter a fortune teller.

Notes:
aka White Lies

1st Produced:
New York     1967

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
in "Plays And Players" London, April, 1966   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play 1 Act. - - Gay, theme/character one act

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Whom Do I Have the Honour Of Addressing?

Synopsis:
Modern

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Broadcast     1989

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Andre Deutsch, London, 1990   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Radio Play

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Yonadab

Synopsis:
Drawing parallels with ancient Fgypt a brother and sister attempt to become demigods through their union.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
National Theatre, London

1st Published:
HarperCollins, London, 1992   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  1            Other:  extras

Further Reference:

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