Roy Williams – författare

Two plays by a young British playwright who is fast making a name for himself. Williams is winner of the 1998-99 John Whiting Award for Best New Play and 1998 Alfred Fagon Award (both for Starstruck) and 1996 TAPS Writer of the Year Award Starstruck: When Hollywood heartthrob Stewart Granger lands in Kingston to shoot his latest movie, the whole town goes crazy. Will Dennis become a star or does girlfriend Pammy have other ambitions? And will Gravel's new money-making scheme leave his wife seeking comfort elsewhere? The No Boys Cricket Club: Coping alone with her troublesome family and warring neighbours in a drab London council estate, Abi has long since lost sight of the good things in life - until an old friend takes her back to her glorious past in Jamaica as the greatest all-rounder of the all-female No Boys Cricket Club.

A new play by the award-winning writer, which premiered at the Birmingham Rep in 2000 and transferred to London's Tricycle theatre "Yu gwan on about love, you can't even si love when it right under yer nose"Since their childhood, when Heather left Jamaica to start a new life in England, her half-sister Bernice always claimed to have 'the gift' of raising spirits from the dead. Thirty years later, when Heather returns to the island after the murder of her much-loved son, she offers Bernice the deeds to the family house - if she can bring him back..."Roy Williams shows himself to be a sassy, sophisticated diviner of the human heart" (Evening Standard)

A new play from the award-winning playwright, published to coincide with its premiere at the Royal Court on 15 June 2001 Although Ben is married to Denise he's still on the pull, Kenny's looking for someone who's "right", Ade's with Sandra but playing the field, and Nate's a proud new father. Clubland is Roy Williams' hilarious new comedy of sexual politics in south London."A young writer who may well have enough wit and insight to succeed Mustapha Matura as our leading black dramatist" - Benedict Nightingale, The Times"Williams, a young, prolific and successful black British writer...certainly has a gift" - Sunday Times

The first collection of plays by the multi-award winning playwright and winner of the 2001 "Most Promising Playwright" Evening Standard Theatre Award THE NO BOYS CRICKET CLUB (1996): Living alone on a drab London council estate, Abi has long since lost sight of the good things in life, until an old friend takes her back to her glorious past in Jamaica as the greatest all-rounder of the No Boys Cricket Club. STARSTRUCK (1997): is a hilarious and moving snapshot of the hopes and broken dreams of a family in the Caribbean at a time when Hollywood heart-throb Stewart Granger lands in Kingston to shoot his latest movie. It was the winner of the John Whiting Award and the Alfred Fagon award (1997). LIFT OFF (1999): When old time school friends Mal and Tone begin to break their lifelong friendship, bitter prejudices are brought to the fore. Joint-winner of the George Devine Award 2000. "Williams' writing snaps and crackles, his characters burst with life, emotion and contradiction" Guardian "Williams, a young, prolific and successful black British writer...certainly has a gift" Sunday Times "Roy Williams shows himself to be a sassy, sophisticated diviner of the human heart" Evening Standard

The new play by Roy Williams, winner of the Evening Standard's Most Promising Playwright Award, 2001 A boy is found dead. D.C. Joe Stephens must return to his old neighbourhood to investigate. Shanice was the last person to see him, and studiously avoids his enquiries into her boyfriend Emile's gang of friends. Meanwhile Shanice's best friend Ronnie saw something that she swears she will never tell. But when a GBP30K reward is offered and Ibiza beckons, the girls and boys face the biggest test of street loyalty in their young lives. FALLOUT provides a terrifying insight into a council estate faced with a gang murder of a kind all too familiar in our inner cities.Praise for Roy Williams' work: "Williams' writing snaps and crackles, his characters burst with life, emotion and contradiction" - Guardian; "Roy Williams shows himself to be a sassy, sophisticated diviner of the human heart" - Evening Standard

Second collection of plays by the award-winning young British playwright Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads: Tensions erupt in a South London pub as England lose against Germany at football Clubland: Ben is married to Denise but on the pull, Kenny's looking for someone who's "right", Ade's with Sandra but playing the field and Nate's a proud father, in this urban drama of race and sexual politics in West London. The Gift: Since her childhood, when she left Jamaica for England, Heather's sister has claimed to have the gift of raising spirits from the dead. When her son is murdered, Heather returns to Jamaica and begs her sister to bring him back to life.Winner of the Evening Standard's Most Promising Playwright Award, 2001 - shortlisted for Best Play Award 2003 "Williams' writing snaps and crackles, his characters burst with life, emotion and contradiction" Guardian "Roy Williams shows himself to be a sassy, sophisticated diviner of the human heart" Evening Standard

Kev is just out of the Young Offenders Institute and is determined to keep his nose clean, but back on the streets the pressure is mounting...

Saturday 7 October 2000. England v Germany, The King George v The Duke of York. Keegan resigns and Barry plays a blinder. Tensions erupt in a South London pub as England lose again. First produced at the National Theatre in 2002, Sing Yer Hearts Out for the Lads became a controversial classic exploring racial tension against the backdrop of an England football match watched in a south London pub. The play highlights how a surface acceptance of racial differences is easily destoryed leading to violent escalation and the polarisation of racial groups.

Written in response to Much Ado About Nothing and performed by Dominic Cooke's Pericles and The Winter's Tale Company, Roy Williams' Days of Significance is set in market-town England and the deserts of Iraq. Two young soldiers join their friends to binge drink the night before they leave for active service. Their complex love lives and mortal fears directly impact on their tour of duty. Roy Williams looks at how the naive and malformed moral codes of these young men have catastrophic reverberations for the West's moral authority.

Celebrating 50 years of Theatre CentreEdited and Introduced by Rosamunde HuttForeword by Pam St. ClementListen To Your Parents by Benjamin Zephaniah | Precious by Angela Turvey | Look At Me by Anna Reynolds | Gorgeous by Anna Furse | Glow by Manjinder Virk | Souls by Roy WilliamsA challenging and culturally diverse collection of new plays by some of the UK's foremost writers. dealing with topics such as domestic violence, eating disorders, mother/daughter relationships and sibling rivalry, written by some of Britain's foremost writers.Beautifully written and tested in performance, these plays which deal with topics such as domestic violence, eating disorders, mother/daughter relationships and sibling rivalry, will become essential texts for theatres, schools, colleges and youth centres.

I can’t get out of bed without groaning or feel summin inside of me is creaking… We’re too old for this shit. In a pub in South London ‘The Firm’ reunite for the first time in twelve years. Back in their misspent youth they were a notorious criminal gang; these days they’re older, wiser, and their lives have changed beyond recognition. But when an uninvited guest turns up to the party with an intriguing proposition and an explosive secret it’s clear they might be tempted to try their hands at one last job. Will they escape their past unscathed?Roy Williams’ gripping new play is a tale of growing up, lifelong loyalties and how sometimes, it is possible to choose your own family. Published to coincide with the premiere at the Hampstead Theatre Downstairs in Autumn 2017.

I can''t get out of bed without groaning or feel summin inside of me is creaking… We''re too old for this shit. In a pub in South London ''The Firm'' reunite for the first time in twelve years. Back in their misspent youth they were a notorious criminal gang; these days they''re older, wiser, and their lives have changed beyond recognition. But when an uninvited guest turns up to the party with an intriguing proposition and an explosive secret it''s clear they might be tempted to try their hands at one last job. Will they escape their past unscathed?Roy Williams'' gripping new play is a tale of growing up, lifelong loyalties and how sometimes, it is possible to choose your own family. Published to coincide with the premiere at the Hampstead Theatre Downstairs in Autumn 2017.

I can''t get out of bed without groaning or feel summin inside of me is creaking… We''re too old for this shit. In a pub in South London ''The Firm'' reunite for the first time in twelve years. Back in their misspent youth they were a notorious criminal gang; these days they''re older, wiser, and their lives have changed beyond recognition. But when an uninvited guest turns up to the party with an intriguing proposition and an explosive secret it''s clear they might be tempted to try their hands at one last job. Will they escape their past unscathed?Roy Williams'' gripping new play is a tale of growing up, lifelong loyalties and how sometimes, it is possible to choose your own family. Published to coincide with the premiere at the Hampstead Theatre Downstairs in Autumn 2017.

He wanted you to be a better man. He wanted to be a better man himself. He was lied to. Just like you are being lied to. A family in mourning. A man in crisisAfter the death of his dad, Michael is powerless and angry.In a state of heartbreak, he confronts the difficult truths about his father’s legacy and the country that shaped him. At the funeral, unannounced and unprepared, Michael decides it is time to speak.Death of England is a powerful new monologue play by Roy Williams and Clint Dyer that explores family feelings and a country on the brink. This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere at the National Theatre, London, in 2020.

He wanted you to be a better man. He wanted to be a better man himself. He was lied to. Just like you are being lied to. A family in mourning. A man in crisisAfter the death of his dad, Michael is powerless and angry.In a state of heartbreak, he confronts the difficult truths about his father''s legacy and the country that shaped him. At the funeral, unannounced and unprepared, Michael decides it is time to speak.Death of England is a powerful new monologue play by Roy Williams and Clint Dyer that explores family feelings and a country on the brink. This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere at the National Theatre, London, in 2020.

He wanted you to be a better man. He wanted to be a better man himself. He was lied to. Just like you are being lied to. A family in mourning. A man in crisisAfter the death of his dad, Michael is powerless and angry.In a state of heartbreak, he confronts the difficult truths about his father''s legacy and the country that shaped him. At the funeral, unannounced and unprepared, Michael decides it is time to speak.Death of England is a powerful new monologue play by Roy Williams and Clint Dyer that explores family feelings and a country on the brink. This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere at the National Theatre, London, in 2020.

Me jumping out of the van, was the beginning of a very bad day for me. I just didn’t know it, but I was going to know it, in about four minutes, I was going to know, fer trut.2020. Delroy is arrested on his way to the hospital.Filled with anger and grief, he recalls the moments and relationships that gave him hope before his life was irrevocably changed.Written in response to their play Death of England, Death of England: Delroy is a new standalone work by Clint Dyer and Roy Williams, which follows a Black working-class man searching for truth and confronting his relationship withWhite Britain.This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere of Death of England: Delroy, at the National Theatre in 2020. The production was the first play to reopen the theatre following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Me jumping out of the van, was the beginning of a very bad day for me. I just didn''t know it, but I was going to know it, in about four minutes, I was going to know, fer trut.2020. Delroy is arrested on his way to the hospital.Filled with anger and grief, he recalls the moments and relationships that gave him hope before his life was irrevocably changed.Written in response to their play Death of England, Death of England: Delroy is a new standalone work by Clint Dyer and Roy Williams, which follows a Black working-class man searching for truth and confronting his relationship withWhite Britain.This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere of Death of England: Delroy, at the National Theatre in 2020. The production was the first play to reopen the theatre following the Coronavirus pandemic.

Me jumping out of the van, was the beginning of a very bad day for me. I just didn''t know it, but I was going to know it, in about four minutes, I was going to know, fer trut.2020. Delroy is arrested on his way to the hospital.Filled with anger and grief, he recalls the moments and relationships that gave him hope before his life was irrevocably changed.Written in response to their play Death of England, Death of England: Delroy is a new standalone work by Clint Dyer and Roy Williams, which follows a Black working-class man searching for truth and confronting his relationship withWhite Britain.This edition was published to coincide with the world premiere of Death of England: Delroy, at the National Theatre in 2020. The production was the first play to reopen the theatre following the Coronavirus pandemic.

A fierce and excoriating portrait of British racism, Roy William's Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads premiered in 2002 at the National Theatre.Set in a south-west London pub during the 2000 England vs. Germany match, tempers are running high. As England lose again, their supporters in The King George lose it too – at full time, patriotism has become unapologetic racism.This Methuen Drama Student Edition of the play includes commentary and notes by Gemma Edwards, University of Manchester, UK, which explore the production history of the play as well as the historical, social and cultural contexts that surround it, such as the rise of Nationalism and far-right groups in the UK. Also featuring an interview with Roy Williams about the play and its relevance 20 years on, this edition is a must-have resource for any student exploring Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads.

A fierce and excoriating portrait of British racism, Roy William''s Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads premiered in 2002 at the National Theatre.Set in a south-west London pub during the 2000 England vs. Germany match, tempers are running high. As England lose again, their supporters in The King George lose it too – at full time, patriotism has become unapologetic racism.This Methuen Drama Student Edition of the play includes commentary and notes by Gemma Edwards, University of Manchester, UK, which explore the production history of the play as well as the historical, social and cultural contexts that surround it, such as the rise of Nationalism and far-right groups in the UK. Also featuring an interview with Roy Williams about the play and its relevance 20 years on, this edition is a must-have resource for any student exploring Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads.

A fierce and excoriating portrait of British racism, Roy William''s Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads premiered in 2002 at the National Theatre.Set in a south-west London pub during the 2000 England vs. Germany match, tempers are running high. As England lose again, their supporters in The King George lose it too – at full time, patriotism has become unapologetic racism.This Methuen Drama Student Edition of the play includes commentary and notes by Gemma Edwards, University of Manchester, UK, which explore the production history of the play as well as the historical, social and cultural contexts that surround it, such as the rise of Nationalism and far-right groups in the UK. Also featuring an interview with Roy Williams about the play and its relevance 20 years on, this edition is a must-have resource for any student exploring Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads.

When Creon refuses to bury the body of Antigone's unruly brother, Antigone's anger quickly turns to defiance. Creon condemns her to a torturous death: she's to be buried alive.Acclaimed playwright Roy Williams takes Sophocles' play and, by placing it into a contemporary setting, brings this classic tale vividly to life.A timeless story about loyalty and truth, about how we make meaning out of life and death, and what in the end really does matter.Roy Williams's adaptation of Antigone received its world premiere at Derby Theatre, in a co-production between Pilot Theatre, Derby Theatre and Theatre Royal, Stratford East, before going on a national tour. This new, edited edition is published for the first time in Methuen Drama's Plays for Young People series, aimed at 16-18 year olds.

When Creon refuses to bury the body of Antigone''s unruly brother, Antigone''s anger quickly turns to defiance. Creon condemns her to a torturous death: she''s to be buried alive.Acclaimed playwright Roy Williams takes Sophocles'' play and, by placing it into a contemporary setting, brings this classic tale vividly to life.A timeless story about loyalty and truth, about how we make meaning out of life and death, and what in the end really does matter.Roy Williams''s adaptation of Antigone received its world premiere at Derby Theatre, in a co-production between Pilot Theatre, Derby Theatre and Theatre Royal, Stratford East, before going on a national tour. This new, edited edition is published for the first time in Methuen Drama''s Plays for Young People series, aimed at 16-18 year olds.

When Creon refuses to bury the body of Antigone''s unruly brother, Antigone''s anger quickly turns to defiance. Creon condemns her to a torturous death: she''s to be buried alive.Acclaimed playwright Roy Williams takes Sophocles'' play and, by placing it into a contemporary setting, brings this classic tale vividly to life.A timeless story about loyalty and truth, about how we make meaning out of life and death, and what in the end really does matter.Roy Williams''s adaptation of Antigone received its world premiere at Derby Theatre, in a co-production between Pilot Theatre, Derby Theatre and Theatre Royal, Stratford East, before going on a national tour. This new, edited edition is published for the first time in Methuen Drama''s Plays for Young People series, aimed at 16-18 year olds.

Three new plays from three of the UK's most celebrated playwrights. All rooted in West London, the plays explore race, identity and our sense of place and purpose, presented together as one piece, Out West. The Overseas Student by Tanika GuptaLondon. 1888. An 18-year-old Gandhi has just arrived from India to study Law. Miles from home, his wife and his family, we see him navigate a time of uncertainty, growth and opportunity. As he builds a new life, he explores the joys of money, food and women whilst facing the struggles of class and imperialism. Gupta’s sharp and profound play is an insight into the teenage years of a man we know will grow up to be one of the most significant figures in history.Blue Water and Cold and Fresh by Simon StephensLondon. 2020. A walk back in time. A walk that may change everything he’s ever believed.In the wake of city lockdown living and the Black Lives Matter protests, one man’s journey across London raises difficult truths he has to confront. The death of a loved one. His father’s racism. His own white privilege. This heartfelt piece explores what it means to be a father, husband and son.Go, Girl by Roy WilliamsLondon. 2020. Working as a security guard at Westfield and a mother to a teenage daughter, Donna sees her life as unremarkable. Why have things not turned out how she pictured when she was a young girl, inspired by the words of Michelle Obama? The hope and excitement she once felt has now become isolation and judgement of the choices she has made. Until one night Donna gets a call from her daughter that makes her rethink her entire life. As their bravery and humanity is tested, Donna realises just how remarkable they both truly are. A celebration of Black women, everyday heroism and female resilience.

Three new plays from three of the UK''s most celebrated playwrights. All rooted in West London, the plays explore race, identity and our sense of place and purpose, presented together as one piece, Out West. The Overseas Student by Tanika GuptaLondon. 1888. An 18-year-old Gandhi has just arrived from India to study Law. Miles from home, his wife and his family, we see him navigate a time of uncertainty, growth and opportunity. As he builds a new life, he explores the joys of money, food and women whilst facing the struggles of class and imperialism. Gupta''s sharp and profound play is an insight into the teenage years of a man we know will grow up to be one of the most significant figures in history.Blue water and cold and fresh by Simon StephensLondon. 2020. A walk back in time. A walk that may change everything he''s ever believed.In the wake of city lockdown living and the Black Lives Matter protests, one man''s journey across London raises difficult truths he has to confront. The death of a loved one. His father''s racism. His own white privilege. This heartfelt piece explores what it means to be a father, husband and son.Go, Girl by Roy WilliamsLondon. 2020. Working as a security guard at Westfield and a mother to a teenage daughter, Donna sees her life as unremarkable. Why have things not turned out how she pictured when she was a young girl, inspired by the words of Michelle Obama? The hope and excitement she once felt has now become isolation and judgement of the choices she has made. Until one night Donna gets a call from her daughter that makes her rethink her entire life. As their bravery and humanity is tested, Donna realises just how remarkable they both truly are. A celebration of Black women, everyday heroism and female resilience.