George Devine

In 1956 George Devine launched a writers’ movement that revolutionised theatre. He became the founder-director of the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre.  

George ran the organisation as a community with writers and company ethic at its heart. He believed that theatre was like a religion or a way of life – a temple of ideas. Although most of the writers he supported had made some kind of a start, his theatre gave them a shot at artistic survival. 

With his tireless artistic vision, he brought bold new plays to the forefront of British theatre as he worked to discover and champion new writers who continue to be recognised as major British dramatists today, though he didn’t seek personal glamour. He was less interested in succeeding in theatre and more interested in theatre succeeding, because of its potential to create change. He felt there was always more to do. He programmed Edward Bond’s controversial play Saved in 1965, which was pivotal in the abolition of theatre censorship. 

His advice to young people was to find the theatre community which allowed them to express their ideas about the world and if they couldn’t find one, then to start one.

He died in 1966 at the age of 55.

With thanks to Irving Wardle for his insights from ‘The Theatres of George Devine’  Photo by John Haynes