Simon Stephens
{{short description|British playwright (born 1971)}}
{{Distinguish|Simon James Stevens|Simon Stevens}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = Simon Stephens
| image = Simon Stephens as of 2023.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Simon Stephens officiating a wedding in France (August 2023)
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|02|06|df=y}}
| birth_place = Manchester, England
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = British-Irish
| spouse = Polly Heath
| children =
| occupation = Playwright
| period =
| influences =
| influenced =
| awards =
| website =
| portaldisp = y
}}
Simon Stephens (born 6 February 1971) is a British-Irish playwright, musician and Professor of Scriptwriting at Manchester Metropolitan University. Having taught on the Young Writers' Programme at the Royal Court Theatre for many years, he is now an Artistic Associate at the Lyric Hammersmith. He is the inaugural Associate Playwright of Steep Theatre Company, Chicago, where five of his plays, Harper Regan, Motortown, Wastwater, Birdland, and Light Falls had their U.S. premieres.{{cite news|title=Steep Theatre Opens 13th Season with Simon Stephens' MOTORTOWN Premiere Tonight|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/article/Steep-Theatre-to-Open-13th-Season-with-Simon-Stephens-MOTORTOWN-Premiere-Today-20131002|website=broadwayworld.com|publisher=BMW News Desk|access-date=2016-12-17}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/theater/reviews/ct-wastwater-steep-ent-0720-20160719-column.html|title='Wastwater' plumbs depths of human despair|last=Jones|first=Chris|work=chicagotribune.com|access-date=2018-05-04|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.americantheatre.org/2017/07/14/steep-theatres-2017-18-season-includes-new-simon-stephens-play/|title=Steep Theatre's 2017-18 Season Includes New Simon Stephens Play|date=2017-07-14|work=AMERICAN THEATRE|access-date=2018-05-04|language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Cristi |first=A. A. |title=Steep Summer Shows Continue with Simon Stephens' LIGHT FALLS |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/article/Steep-Summer-Shows-Continue-with-Simon-Stephens-LIGHT-FALLS-20220630 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}} His writing is widely performed throughout Europe and, along with Dennis Kelly and Martin Crimp, he is one of the most performed English-language writers in Germany.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/may/21/britain-germany-theatre-culture-difference-exchange-playwrights-directors|title=Going Deutsch: Britain and Germany's theatre exchange|last=Haydon|first=Andrew|date=2015-05-21|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=2017-02-09|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}
Life
Originally from Stockport, Greater Manchester,{{cite web |title=Simon Stephens: Stockport state of mind |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/jan/23/simon-stephens-port |work=The Guardian |date=23 January 2013 |access-date=26 May 2021}} Stephens graduated from the University of York with a degree in History.{{cite web |last1=Salt |first1=Nathan |title=Stockport playwright Simon Stephens inspires Salford students with school visit |url=http://www.salfordnow.co.uk/2016/10/05/simon-stephens-visits-salford-high-school/ |website=Salford Now |publisher=Salford Now |access-date=26 May 2021 |date=2016-10-05}} After university, he lived in Edinburgh for several years, where he met his future wife Polly, before later completing a PGCE at the Institute of Education. He worked as a teacher for a few years, before leaving to become a playwright. In 2017, Stephens was appointed to a Professorship at the Manchester School of Writing, at Manchester Metropolitan University.
He was a member of Scottish art punk band Country Teasers.
Stephens lives in London with his wife and three children. He has three cats, a dog, a snake and a capybara as pets. In 2016, Stephens published A Working Diary, an account of his activities in 2014.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Alice |title=Theatre director Simon Stephens' 'A Working Diary' reveals a rollercoaster year |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/theatre-director-simon-stephens-working-diary-5025 |website=i |access-date=30 January 2023 |date=2 May 2016}}
Plays
- Vanya (2023). Premiered at Duke Of York’s Theatre, directed by Sam Yates. Adaptation of Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov. Performed by Andrew Scott.
- Morning Sun (2021). Manhattan Theatre Club production premiered in October 2021 at New York City Center Stage I directed by Lila Neugebauer, with Blair Brown, Edie Falco, and Marin Ireland.
- Blindness (2020). Premiered at Donmar Warehouse, directed by Walter Meierjohann. Adaptation of José Saramago's novel of the same name.
- Fortune (2020). Premiered at Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, directed by Sean Holmes{{Cite news |title='Fortune' updates Faust's devilish deal |newspaper=The Japan Times |date=3 January 2020 |last=Tanaka |first=Nobuko |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2020/01/03/stage/fortune-updates-fausts-devilish-deal/ |access-date=24 February 2020 |location=Tokyo, Japan |publisher=The Japan Times, Ltd. }}
- Light Falls (2019). Premiered at Royal Exchange Manchester, directed by Sarah Francomb. Irish Premier in Cork School of Music, directed by Regina Crowley.
- Rage (2018) premiered at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, directed by Elle While{{cite web |title='A Love Letter to Brexit Britain,' Simon Stephens' 'Rage' Premieres at RWCMD |url=https://blog.rwcmd.ac.uk/press-release/a-love-letter-to-brexit-britain-simon-stephens-rage-premieres-at-rwcmd/ |website=Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama |publisher=Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama |access-date=26 May 2021}} Revival cast premiere at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (2020){{cite web |title=UWTSD Students to perform Simon Stephens' Rage |url=https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/news/press-releases/press-2020/uwtsd-students-to-perform-simon-stephens-rage.html |website=University of Wales Trinity Saint David |publisher=University of Wales Trinity Saint David |access-date=26 May 2021}}
- Obsession (2017). (English translation of Jan Peter Gerrits' play) Premiered at the Barbican Centre, directed by Ivo Van Hove{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2017/legit/reviews/obsession-review-jude-law-1202402714/ |title='Obsession' Review: Jude Law Stars in London – Variety |website=variety.com|date=28 April 2017 |access-date=2019-01-28}}
- The Seagull (2017). Premiered at the Lyric Hammersmith, directed by Sean Holmes
- Fatherland (2017). Co-created with Frantic Assembly's Scott Graham and Karl Hyde for the Manchester International Festival at the Royal Exchange.
- The Threepenny Opera (2016) premiered at the National Theatre, directed by Rufus Norris, a new adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's book and lyrics (music by Kurt Weill){{Cite web|url=https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/threepenny-opera|title=The Threepenny Opera {{!}} National Theatre|website=nationaltheatre.org.uk|date=2 March 2016 |access-date=2016-06-21}}
- Heisenberg (2015) premiered Off-Broadway at the New York City Center-Stage II, directed by Mark Brokaw[http://lortel.org/Archives/Production/5995 Heisenberg] lortel.org, accessed 3 February 2016
- Song From Far Away (2015) premiered at the Young Vic, directed by Ivo van HoveGardner, Lynn. [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/sep/06/song-from-far-away-review "'Song from Far Away' review – Simon Stephens sneaks a late emotional punch"] The Guardian, 6 September 2015
- The Cherry Orchard (2014) premiering at the Young Vic, directed by Katie Mitchell
- Carmen Disruption (2014) premiering at Deutsches Schauspielhaus, directed by Sebastian Nübling{{citation
| title = Carmen Disruption
| work = Deutsches Schauspielhaus
| url = http://www.schauspielhaus.de/de_DE/repertoire/carmen_disruption.951088
| year = 2014
}}
- Blindsided (2014) premiered at the Royal Exchange Theatre, directed by Sarah Frankcom{{citation
| title = Blindsided
| work = Royal Exchange Theatre
| url = http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/event.aspx?id=721
| year = 2014
}}
- Birdland (2014) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Carrie Cracknell{{citation
| title = Birdland
| work = Royal Court Theatre
| url = http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/birdland
| year = 2014
}}
- London (2012) incorporating Sea Wall and T5 premiered at Salisbury Playhouse, directed by George Perrin{{citation
|title = London
|work = Salisbury Playhouse
|url = http://www.painesplough.com/current-programme/by-date/london
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120728021148/http://www.painesplough.com/current-programme/by-date/london
|url-status = dead
|archive-date = 2012-07-28
|year = 2012
}}
- Morning (2012) premiered at the Traverse Theatre, directed by Sean Holmes{{citation
|title = Morning
|work = Lyric Hammersmith
|url = http://www.lyric.co.uk/whats-on/production/morning/
|year = 2012
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120719082254/http://www.lyric.co.uk/whats-on/production/morning/
|archive-date = 19 July 2012
}}
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2012) premiered at the National Theatre, directed by Marianne Elliott, adapted from the Mark Haddon novel of the same name{{citation
| title = The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
| work = Royal Court Theatre
| url = http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/?lid=69915
| year = 2012
}}
- A Doll's House (2012) premiered at the Young Vic, directed by Carrie Cracknell{{citation
|title = A Doll's House
|work = Young Vic
|url = http://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/a-dolls-house
|year = 2012
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120717062936/http://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/a-dolls-house
|archive-date = 17 July 2012
}} American premiere at Brooklyn Academy of Music (2014){{citation
| title = A Doll's House
| work = Brooklyn Academy of Music
| url = http://www.bam.org/theater/2014/a-dolls-house
| year = 2014
}}
- Three Kingdoms (2011) premiered at Theatre NO99 in Tallinn, Estonia, directed by Sebastian Nübling,{{citation
|title = Three Kingdoms
|work = Theatre NO99
|url = http://www.tallinn2011.ee/?id=762&event=1963
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120111061020/http://www.tallinn2011.ee/?id=762&event=1963
|url-status = dead
|archive-date = 2012-01-11
|year = 2011
}} English premiere at the Lyric Hammersmith (2012){{citation
|title = Three Kingdoms
|work = Lyric Theatre
|url = http://www.lyric.co.uk/whats-on/production/three-kingdoms/
|year = 2011
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111208200840/http://www.lyric.co.uk/whats-on/production/three-kingdoms/
|archive-date = 8 December 2011
}} | German premiere at the Munich Kammerspiele (2011)
- I Am the Wind (2011) translation of the Jon Fosse play premiered at the Young Vic, directed by Patrice Chéreau{{citation
|title = I Am The Wind
|work = Young Vic
|url = http://www.youngvic.org/archive/i-am-the-wind
|year = 2011
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150113154716/http://www.youngvic.org/archive/i-am-the-wind
|archive-date = 13 January 2015
}}
- Wastwater (2011) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Katie Mitchell{{citation
| title = Wastwater
| work = Royal Court Theatre
| url = http://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/wastwater
| year = 2011
}}
- The Trial of Ubu (2010) premiered at the Toneelgroep in Amsterdam, (2012) English premiere at the Hampstead Theatre, directed by Katie Mitchell{{citation
|title = The Trial of Ubu
|work = Hampstead Theatre
|url = http://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/page/3032/Comingsoon.../261
|year = 2012
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111125042725/http://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/page/3032/Comingsoon.../261
|archive-date = 25 November 2011
}}
- T5 (2010) premiered at DryWrite at the Roundhouse, directed by Vicky Jones, and further developed at the Traverse Theatre as part of Traverse Live!, directed by Dominic Hill{{citation
| title = T5
| work = Picture House
| url = http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Clapham_Picturehouse/film/Traverse_Live_Impossible_Things_Before_Breakfast/
| year = 2010
}}
- A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky (2010) written with David Eldridge and Robert Holman premiered at the Lyric Hammersmith, directed by Sean Holmes{{citation
|title = A Thousand Stars Explode in the Sky
|work = Lyric Hammersmith
|url = http://www.lyric.co.uk/production-archive/entry/a-thousand-stars-explode-in-the-sky/#production-content
|year = 2010
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120604132630/http://www.lyric.co.uk/production-archive/entry/a-thousand-stars-explode-in-the-sky/#production-content
|archive-date = 4 June 2012
}}
- Marine Parade (2010) with music by Mark Eitzel premiered at the Brighton Festival directed by Jo McInnes{{citation
| title = Marine Parade
| work = ETT
| url = http://www.ett.org.uk/productions/62/marine-parade
| year = 2010
}}
- Punk Rock (2009) premiered at the Royal Exchange Theatre, directed by Sarah Frankcom{{citation
|title = Punk Rock
|work = Royal Exchange Theatre
|url = http://www.royalexchangetheatre.org.uk/event.aspx?id=180
|year = 2009
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111007215820/http://www.royalexchangetheatre.org.uk/event.aspx?id=180
|archive-date = 7 October 2011
}}
- Canopy of Stars (2008) premiered at the Tricycle Theatre as part of the 'Great Game' series
- Sea Wall (2008) premiered in the Broken Space Season at Bush Theatre, directed by George Perrin{{citation
|title = Sea Wall
|work = Bush Theatre
|url = http://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/production/SEA%20WALL%20at%20the%20Traverse/
|year = 2008
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120111132435/http://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/production/SEA%20WALL%20at%20the%20Traverse/
|archive-date = 11 January 2012
}}
- Pornography (2007) premiered at the Traverse Theatre directed by Sean Holmes{{citation
| title = Pornography Review
| work = The Independent
| url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/reviews/pornography-traverse-theatre-edinburgh-festival-886017.html
| year = 2007
| location=London
| first=Lynne
| last=Walker}}
- Harper Regan (2007) premiered at the National Theatre, directed by Marianne Elliott{{citation
|title = Harper Regan
|work = National Theatre
|url = http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/34161/productions/harper-regan.html
|year = 2007
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927033011/http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/34161/productions/harper-regan.html
|archive-date = 27 September 2011
}}
- Motortown (2006) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Ramin Gray{{citation
| title = Motortown
| work = Royal Court Theatre
| url = http://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/motortown
| year = 2006
}}
- On the Shore of the Wide World (2005) premiered at the Royal Exchange Theatre, directed by Sarah Frankcom{{citation
|title = Premieres; On the Shore of the Wide World
|work = Royal Exchange Theatre
|url = http://www.royalexchange.org.uk/uploads/ROYAL%20EXCHANGE%20PREMIERES%20SINCE%201976.pdf
|year = 2005
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120427100124/http://www.royalexchange.org.uk/uploads/ROYAL%20EXCHANGE%20PREMIERES%20SINCE%201976.pdf
|archive-date = 27 April 2012
}}
- Country Music (2004) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Gordon Anderson{{citation
| title = Country Music
| work = Royal Court Theatre
| url = http://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/country-music
| year = 2004
}}
- Christmas (2004) premiered at the Bush Theatre, directed by Joanne McInnes{{citation
|title = Christmas
|work = Bush Theatre
|url = http://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/production/christmas/
|year = 2004
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120111132153/http://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/production/christmas/
|archive-date = 11 January 2012
}}
- One Minute (2003) premiered at the ATC, directed by Gordon Anderson{{citation
| title = One Minute
| work = ATC
| url = http://www.atc-online.com/index.php?plid=49&show=info
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120204204136/http://www.atc-online.com/index.php?plid=49&show=info
| url-status = usurped
| archive-date = 4 February 2012
| year = 2003
}}
- Port (2002) premiered at the Royal Exchange, directed by Marianne Elliott{{citation
| title = Port Review
| work = The Guardian
| url = https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2002/nov/14/theatre.artsfeatures
| location=London
| first=Alfred
| last=Hickling
| date=14 November 2002}}
- Herons (2001) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Simon Usher{{citation
| title = Herons
| work = Royal Court Theatre
| url = http://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/herons
| year = 2001
}}
- Bluebird (1998) premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Gordon Anderson{{citation
| title = Bluebird
| work = Royal Court Theatre
| url = http://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/bluebird
| year = 1998
}}
- Bring Me Sunshine (1997) premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, directed by Heather Davies
Awards
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time won the 2013 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play and the 2015 Tony Award for Best Play[http://www.playbillvault.com/Show/Detail/14052/The-Curious-Incident-of-the-Dog-in-the-Night-Time "'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time' Broiadway"] playbillvault.com, accessed 3 February 2016[http://www.olivierawards.com/winners/view/item216388/olivier-winners-2013/ "Olivier Awards, 2013"] olivierawards.com, accessed 3 February 2016
- Punk Rock was nominated at the TMA Awards for Best New Play in 2010, and was also nominated for the Evening Standard Award for Best New Play in 2010[https://www.standard.co.uk/news/evening-standard-theatre-awards-rachel-weisz-and-lenny-henry-fight-stage-giants-for-top-prize-6797532.html "Evening Standard theatre awards"] standard.co.uk, 9 November 2009[http://www.uktheatre.org/awards/nominees2010.aspx "Awards 2010"] uktheatre.org, accessed 3 February 2016
- Pornography won the Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland for Best New Play in 2008-09[http://www.criticsawards.theatrescotland.com/Winners%20by%20year/08-09.html "Awards, 2008-09"] criticsawards.theatrescotland.com, accessed 3 February 2016
- On the Shore of The Wide World won the 2006 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play[http://www.olivierawards.com/winners/view/item98373/olivier-winners-2006/ "Olivier Awards, 2006"] olivierawards.com, accessed 3 February 3016
- One Minute won at the Tron Theatre Awards as Best New Play in 2003
- Port won the Pearson Award for Best New Play in 2001
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.doollee.com/PlaywrightsS/stephens-simon.html Simon Stephens at Doollee]
- [http://www.seawallandrewscott.com Official website of the Sea Wall movie], performed by Andrew Scott
{{Country Teasers}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stephens, Simon}}
Category:20th-century English dramatists and playwrights
Category:20th-century English male writers
Category:21st-century English dramatists and playwrights
Category:21st-century English male writers
Category:21st-century English diarists
Category:Writers from Stockport