John Osborne was born in London in 1929. He worked as a journalist for a number of trade magazines before becoming an Assistant Stage Manager and actor with several repertory companies. Look Back in Anger (1956) has come to stand as a key text for modern British Drama, and prompted other successes with The Entertainer and Epitaph for George Dillon. He was the first of many writers to be 'discovered' by the Royal Court Theatre, and Look Back in Anger was the first of the Royal Court's plays to be internationally recognised. Osborne adapted Look Back in Anger and The Entertainer for film. He also wrote an Oscar winning screenplay adaptation of Henry Fielding's novel Tom Jones.

"This is perhaps the most audacious statement ever made on the English stage" - Kenneth Tynan, Observer "His spiritual barbarism and magnificent of contempt are doubly refreshing next to the mealy-mouthed winnowing of much over-praised contemporary playwrights" - Michael Coveney, Daily Mail