John Arden

Personal Information
John Arden was a creative force in British theatre from the late 1950s to the 1970s. Born in Barnsley, he was educated through the Public school system and spent three years as a conscript in Scotland. He began to write plays at university, where he studied architecture. His early work, The Waters of Babylon, premiered at the young Royal Court Theatre as a Sunday night production in 1957. The influence of his work helped define the identity of the English Stage Company, which performed many of his plays in the following years. His most recognized work is probably Serjeant Musgrave's Dance from 1959. It was produced at the Royal Court and recognized as one of the major plays of its time. Arden's plays include: The Waters of Babylon (1957; Soldier Soldier (1960); The Happy Haven (1960); The Workhouse Donkey (1963); Ironhand (1963); Armstrong's Last Goodnight (1964); Left- handed Liberty (1965); The Royal Pardon (1966); The Hero Rises Up (1968); The Island of the Mighty (1972); The Non- Stop Connolly Show (1975); The Little Gray Home in the West (1978); and The Manchester Enthusiasts (1984).
 
Playwrights' Sidewalk: John Arden has a star on the Playwrights' Sidewalk.
Credits

Author
Production Theatre Opened Credit
1 Serjeant Musgrave's Dance East 13th Street/CSC Theatre 12/08/1977 Playwright
2 Serjeant Musgrave's Dance Lucille Lortel Theatre 03/08/1966 Playwright
3 Live Like Pigs Actors' Playhouse 06/07/1965 Playwright