biography
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1932– )
|
| biography:
| Playwright, born in London, UK, of a Russian father and Hungarian mother. His working-class Jewish family background, and his varied attempts at earning a living, are important ingredients of his plays, such as The Kitchen (1959) and Chips with Everything (1962). His use of a working-class setting rather than the drawing rooms of polite comedy was influential in the development of ‘kitchen sink’ drama. The Kahn family trilogy, Chicken Soup with Barley, Roots, and I'm Talking About Jerusalem (1959–60), echo the march of events, before and after World War 2, in a left-wing family. Later plays include The Friends (1970), Caritas (1981), Little Old Lady (1988), Tokyo (1994), and a series of monologues for women. He is also known for founding the theatre project Centre 42 (1961–70). His collected plays were published in 1989–90, and a collection of stories, The King's Daughters, in 1996. |
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