39-620: Helen Edmundson FRSL (born 1964) is a British playwright, screenwriter and producer. She has won awards and critical acclaim both for her original writing and for her adaptations of various literary classics for the stage and screen. Edmundson was born in Liverpool , in 1964. Most of her childhood was spent on the Wirral and in Chester . Edmundson studied drama at Manchester University . After her studies, Edmundson acted with Red Stockings,
78-660: A TMA Award ; the production toured nationally and internationally. In 1993, Edmundson's original play The Clearing , which won the John Whiting Award , was staged at the Bush Theatre . In 1994, her adaptation of The Mill on the Floss was also produced by Shared Experience, again touring nationally and internationally; Edmundson won a Time Out Award for The Clearing and The Mill on the Floss . In 1996, Shared Experience staged her adaptation of War and Peace at
117-602: A Dream was produced at the Donmar Warehouse , starring BAFTA Award-winner Dominic West . In 2010, Edmundson's musical adaptation of Swallows and Amazons was first produced at the Bristol Old Vic , directed by Tony Award-winner Tom Morris . The next year, the show transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre ; the play was nominated for an Evening Standard Theatre Award . Edmundson took part in
156-408: A critic and feature-writer for The Times Literary Supplement , The Independent , The Sunday Times , The Daily Telegraph , The Guardian and The Observer , and appeared on BBC television and radio programmes Kaleidoscope , Night Waves and The Late Show . During this period he also founded Stage of Fools with Nick Vivian and Nick Sweeting, writing, acting and directing at
195-543: A female agit-prop company, for whom she wrote the musical comedy Ladies in the Lift in 1988. This was her first solo attempt at writing for the stage. After leaving Red Stockings, she acted throughout northwest England. Edmundson's first play Flying was produced at the National Theatre Studio in 1990. In 1992, her adaptation of Anna Karenina , produced by Shared Experience , won a Time Out Award and
234-417: A significant contribution to the advancement of literature, including publishers, agents, librarians, booksellers or producers. The society is a cultural tenant at London's Somerset House . The Royal Society of Literature (RSL) was founded in 1820, with the patronage of George IV , to "reward literary merit and excite literary talent", and its first president was Thomas Burgess , Bishop of St David's (who
273-466: A two-part play; this production was staged by Shared Experience and Nottingham Playhouse before touring. In the same year, her musical adaptation of Zorro was produced at the Garrick Theatre , starring Olivier Award-winner Lesli Margherita and Olivier Award-nominee Emma Williams ; Edmundson was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Musical. In 2009, Edmundson's adaptation of Life Is
312-859: Is an English theatre director , writer and producer. He was the Artistic Director at BAC ( Battersea Arts Centre ) from 1995 to 2004 and the Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic from 2009 to 2022. He has been Associate Director at the National Theatre since 2004. Morris was born in 1964. He is the younger brother of satirist Chris Morris . He was educated at Stonyhurst College , a Jesuit boys' boarding independent school in Lancashire in north west England, and then read English Literature at Pembroke College, Cambridge , from 1983 to 1986. From 1988 to 1994, Morris taught English Literature and worked in broadcasting and journalism, as
351-512: The Benson Medal for lifetime service in the field of literature . The RSL runs a membership programme offering a variety of events to members and the general public. Membership of the RSL is open to all. The RSL also runs an outreach programme, currently for young people and those in prison. The RSL administers two annual prizes, two awards, and two honours. Through its prize programmes,
390-629: The Bush Theatre 's 2011 project Sixty-Six Books , for which artists wrote a piece based upon a book of the King James Bible ; Edmundson wrote a piece entitled In the night, a promise , based on Zephaniah . The same year, her adaptation of Coram Boy was revived at the Bristol Old Vic. In 2012, her play about Juana Inés de la Cruz , The Heresy of Love , was produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company at
429-627: The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and on tour. In 1995, Morris became Artistic Director of Battersea Arts Centre (BAC), staying until 2004 when he joined the National Theatre . While at BAC, Morris established the Scratch Programme, The Sam Shepherd Festival, The Critics Up for Review, The British Festival of Visual Theatre, Playing in the Dark (which marked the launch of Vanishing Point and Sound and Fury and included
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#1732802143334468-591: The National Theatre in a production starring BAFTA Award -nominee Anne-Marie Duff ; the play was nominated for a Writers' Guild Award for Best Play. In 2002, Edmundson's play Mother Teresa is Dead was produced at the Royal Court Theatre . In 2004, her adaptation of Gone to Earth was produced by Shared Experience at the Lyric Hammersmith and on tour; it was nominated for a TMA Award . Edmundson's adaptation of Coram Boy premiered at
507-655: The Royal Society of Literature since 2015. Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature The Royal Society of Literature ( RSL ) is a learned society founded in 1820 by King George IV to "reward literary merit and excite literary talent". A charity that represents the voice of literature in the UK, the RSL has about 600 Fellows, elected from among the best writers in any genre currently at work. Additionally, Honorary Fellows are chosen from those who have made
546-823: The Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon . The same year, Edmundson's adaptation of Swallows and Amazons was revived for a national tour. Also in 2012, Edmundson's play Mary Shelley was produced on a nationwide tour, including the Tricycle Theatre and the Liverpool Playhouse , by Shared Experience. In 2013, her adaptation of Mephisto was produced at the Altonaer Theater in Hamburg . In 2014, Edmundson's adaptation of
585-654: The National Theatre in November 2005, starring Olivier Award -winner Bertie Carvel and Tony Award -nominee Paul Ritter ; Edmundson received a Time Out Award and was nominated for an Olivier Award. Coram Boy was named by the Evening Standard as one of the fifty best plays of the century, and became used as a set text in A-Level Drama and Theatre Studies. The play returned for a revival at
624-727: The Old Vic's Outreach Programme into every part of the City, set up the widely imitated artist development programme, the Bristol Ferment, and restored the theatre's national and international reputation with West End transfers and national & international touring for Swallows and Amazons , A Midsummer Night's Dream , Jane Eyre and Peter Pan (both of which were re-created for the National Theatre) and festivals such as Bristol Jam and Bristol Proms. in 2010, he directed
663-535: The Pale and The Ties that Bind , starring BAFTA Award -winners Paddy Considine and Tim Pigott-Smith . In September of the same year, Edmundson's feature-length adaptation of An Inspector Calls , starring BAFTA Award-winners David Thewlis and Miranda Richardson , was broadcast on BBC One ; the programme won the 2016 Broadcasting Press Guild Award for Best Single Drama and was nominated for two 2016 British Academy Television Craft Awards . In 2018, Edmundson wrote
702-569: The RSL published a volume that provides a description and history of the society, written by one of its fellows, Isabel Quigly . In 2020, the RSL celebrated its 200th anniversary with the announcement of RSL 200, "a five-year festival launched with a series of major new initiatives and 60 new appointments championing the great diversity of writing and writers in the UK". Initiatives included RSL Open (electing new Fellows from communities, backgrounds and experiences currently under-represented in UK literary culture), RSL International Writers (recognising
741-473: The RSL roll book. The RSL's 2022–23 Open initiative aimed to recognise writers from backgrounds currently underrepresented in UK literary culture by electing 60 fellows over a two-year period from communities, backgrounds and experiences currently under-represented in UK literary culture, through drawing on a broad range of writers from "different parts of the UK, from different communities, different demographics", as Bernardine Evaristo noted. The * before
780-422: The RSL supports new and established contemporary writers. The Council of the Royal Society of Literature is central to the election of new fellows, and directs the RSL's activities through its monthly meetings. Council members serve for a fixed term of four years, with new members being elected by Council when members retire. The Royal Society of Literature comprises more than 600 Fellows, who are entitled to use
819-647: The RSL. Paid membership is open to all and offers a variety of benefits. The society publishes an annual magazine, The Royal Society of Literature Review , and administers a number of literary prizes and awards, including the RSL Ondaatje Prize , the RSL Giles St Aubyn Awards for Non-Fiction, the RSL Encore Award for best second novel of the year and the V. S. Pritchett Memorial Prize for short stories. In 2000,
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#1732802143334858-484: The contribution of writers across the globe to literature in English) and Sky Arts RSL Writers Awards. In 2021, the RSL launched "Literature Matters: Reading Together", a project aiming to make recreational reading accessible to young people across the UK. The society maintains its current level of about 600 Fellows of the Royal Society of Literature : generally 14 new fellows are elected annually, who are accorded
897-526: The debut production of Helen Edmundson 's Swallows and Amazons at Bristol Old Vic. He stepped down from his role at the Bristol Old Vic in 2022. In 2012 Morris & Stenning oversaw the first phase of a multimillion-pound redevelopment, which included the long-awaited refurbishment of the theatre's 250 year old auditorium and creation of new office and rehearsal spaces. The second phase of redevelopment of Bristol Old Vic commenced in November 2016, designed by Steve Tompkins. The plans included an overhaul of
936-519: The film Mary Magdalene , which was directed by Emmy Award-nominee Garth Davis and starred Academy Award-nominees Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix . She is adapting the novel The Awkward Age , to be broadcast by the BBC . She wrote the first two series of crime drama Dalgliesh , executive producing the second. Dalgliesh was first broadcast on Channel 5 and Acorn TV and stars Bertie Carvel as
975-470: The first scratch version of Complicite 's Mnemonic ) and BAC Opera (which produced Jerry Springer: The Opera ). While at BAC he also wrote Ben Hur, Jason and the Argonauts and World Cup Final 1966 all with Carl Heap. In September 2009 Morris took over as Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic theatre, overseeing the theatre's revival with Executive Director Emma Stenning . Morris and Stenning expanded
1014-632: The front of house spaces and Studio theatre, and was completed in autumn 2018. As well as directing many theatrical productions, Morris has directed and produced several operas , including The Death of Klinghoffer ( ENO and the Met ) and a staging of Handel's Messiah (Bristol Proms, 2013). In 2011 he won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play for the Broadway production of War Horse , along with co-director Marianne Elliott . Morris
1053-502: The name denotes an Honorary Fellow. The list is online at the RSL website. The RSL International Writers programme is a new life-long honour and award recognizing the contribution of writers across the globe to literature in English, and the power of literature to transcend borders in bringing people together, the inaugural list of recipients being announced in 2021. Tom Morris (director) Tom Morris OBE (born 22 June 1964)
1092-505: The novel Thérèse Raquin was produced at the Theatre Royal, Bath , starring Olivier Award-winners Alison Steadman and Desmond Barrit . In 2015, The Heresy of Love was revived for a run at Shakespeare's Globe . Edmundson's adaptation of Thérèse Raquin was produced by Roundabout Theatre Company at Studio 54 on Broadway from 2015 to 2016, starring Academy Award -nominee Keira Knightley and Tony Award-winner Judith Light ;
1131-530: The play one of the top two theatre shows of 2019. In February 2021, Edmundson's adaptation of Anna Karenina was revived at Sheffield Theatres' Crucible Theatre. In March 2022, Edmundson's adaptation of Small Island was revived at the National Theatre. Edmundson has written two short films for television: One Day , broadcast on BBC Two in July 1991, and Stella for Channel 4 . In 2015, she wrote two episodes of ITV drama The Suspicions of Mr Whicher , Beyond
1170-659: The play was nominated for Outstanding New Broadway Play at the 2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards . Simultaneously, the RSC premiered her play Queen Anne in Stratford. In 2017, the RSC produced Queen Anne at the Theatre Royal Haymarket , starring Golden Globe -winner Romola Garai . In 2019, Edmundson's adaptation of Small Island was produced at the National Theatre, directed by its artistic director, Olivier Award-nominee Rufus Norris . The Guardian called
1209-553: The post-nominal letters FRSL . New fellows of the Royal Society of Literature are elected by its current fellows. To be nominated for fellowship, a writer must have published two works of literary merit, and nominations must be seconded by an RSL fellow. All nominations are presented to members of the Council of the Royal Society of Literature, who vote biannually to elect new fellows. Nominated candidates who have not been successful are reconsidered at every election for three years from
Helen Edmundson - Misplaced Pages Continue
1248-662: The privilege of using the post-nominal letters FRSL. Past and present fellows include Samuel Taylor Coleridge , J. R. R. Tolkien , W. B. Yeats , Rudyard Kipling , Thomas Hardy , George Bernard Shaw , Arthur Koestler , Chinua Achebe , Ruth Prawer Jhabvala , Robert Ardrey , Sybille Bedford , Muriel Spark , P. J. Kavanagh , Hilary Mantel , and Sir Roger Scruton . Present Fellows include Margaret Atwood , Bernardine Evaristo , David Hare , Kazuo Ishiguro , Andrew Motion , Paul Muldoon , Zadie Smith , Nadeem Aslam , Sarah Waters , Geoffrey Ashe , J. K. Rowling , and Nick Cave . A newly created fellow inscribes his or her name on
1287-570: The same venue a year later, again starring Carvel. Her adaptation of Orestes , toured in the UK and played at the Tricycle Theatre with Shared Experience in 2006. Coram Boy was revived at the Imperial Theatre on Broadway in 2007, starring Emmy Award -winner Uzo Aduba and Tony Award-nominee Jan Maxwell , receiving six Tony Award nominations. In 2008, Edmundson amended her adaptation of War and Peace , turning it into
1326-428: The society's official roll using either Byron's pen, T. S. Eliot 's fountain pen , which replaced Dickens 's quill in 2013, or (as of 2018) George Eliot 's pen, with pens belonging to Jean Rhys and Andrea Levy being additional choices from 2020. From time to time, the RSL confers the honour and title of Companion of Literature to writers of particular note. Additionally, the RSL can bestow its award of
1365-413: The support of its Members, Patrons, Fellows and friends to continue its work. The RSL has about 600 Fellows, elected from among the best writers in any genre currently at work. Additionally, Honorary Fellows are chosen from those who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of literature, including publishers, agents, librarians, booksellers or producers, or who have rendered special service to
1404-465: The title character . She is currently working as showrunner, writer and executive producer of Belgravia: The Next Chapter , to be broadcast in 2024. Edmundson has adapted numerous literary classics for BBC Radio 4 , including The Voyage Out in 2006, The Mayor of Casterbridge in 2008, Anna of the Five Towns in 2011 and Sense and Sensibility in 2013. Edmundson has been a Fellow of
1443-532: The year in which they were proposed. Newly elected fellows are introduced at the Society's AGM and summer party. While the President reads a citation for each, they are invited to sign their names in the roll book which dates back to 1820, using either T. S. Eliot 's fountain pen or Byron 's pen. In 2013, Charles Dickens ' quill was retired and replaced with Eliot's fountain pen, and in 2018 George Eliot 's pen
1482-571: Was later translated as Bishop of Salisbury ). As of 2018, the RSL's patron is Queen Camilla , who took over in the role from Elizabeth II . At the heart of the RSL is its Fellowship, "which encompasses the most distinguished writers working today", with the RSL Council responsible for its direction and management, being drawn from the Fellowship. As an independent charity, the RSL receives no regular public or government funding, relying on
1521-404: Was offered as a choice, the first time in the RSL's history that a pen that belonged to a woman writer was an option. In 2018, the RSL honoured the achievements of Britain's younger writers through the initiative "40 Under 40", which saw the election of 40 new fellows aged under 40. In 2020, pens belonging to Andrea Levy and Jean Rhys were added to the choices offered to fellows for signing
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