English drama the stage. Again In the 1950s, the absurdist play "Waiting for Godot" (1955) (originally "En attendant Godot", 1952), by the French resident, Irishman Samuel Beckett profoundly affected British drama. The Theatre of the Absurd influenced Harold Pinter (1930-2008), (The Birthday Party, 1958), whose works are often characterised by menace or claustrophobia. Beckett also influenced Tom Stoppard (1937-) ("Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead",1966). Stoppard's works are, however, also notable for their high-spirited wit and the great range of intellectual issues which he tackles in different plays. Both Pinter and Stoppard continued to have new plays produced into the 1990s. Michael Frayn
James Graham (playwright) James Graham (playwright) James Graham (born 8th July 1982) is a British playwright, television writer and one-time actor. His work has been staged throughout the UK, at theatres including the Bush, Soho Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru and the National Theatre. He was discovered by, and has been a Playwright in Residence at, the Finborough Theatre. Graham grew up in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, and was educated at Ashfield Comprehensive School and the University of Hull. He wrote the script for the film "X+Y", which premiered in 2015. His plays are published by Methuen. In June 2018 Graham was elected Fellow of the