David Edgar was born in Birmingham in 1948. After reading Drama at Manchester University, he had a short career in journalism but took up writing full-time in 1972. His plays include Albert Speer, Nicholas Nickleby and Pentecost. He has won numerous drama awards including the Evening Standard Award for Best Play of the Year and the Society of West End Theatres Best Play Award. Edgar has also written for television. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and lives in Birmingham.

"'I cannot remember any play that coupled so much urgent topical information with such dramatic force' Times 'Rackingly eloquent and vitally important... a play that is something more than skilfull and well written. It is one that is actually necessary.' Guardian"