Alan Plater

Alan Plater
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Name	Alan Plater
Birth date	15 April 1935
Birth place	Jarrow, County Durham, England
Death date	25 June 2010
Death place	London, England
Occupation	Playwright, screenwriter
Notable works	The Beiderbecke Affair, Z Cars, Fortunes of War, The Barchester Chronicles
Awards	BAFTA Award, Royal Television Society Award

Alan Plater was a prolific and influential British playwright and screenwriter, celebrated for his distinctive, humane, and often humorous portrayals of working-class life in Northern England. His extensive career spanned over five decades, during which he made significant contributions to British television, theatre, and radio, becoming a defining voice of post-war drama. Plater was a key figure in the "kitchen sink realism" movement and later crafted beloved series such as The Beiderbecke Affair, earning numerous accolades including a BAFTA.

Early life and education

Alan Plater was born in Jarrow, a town in County Durham famously associated with the Jarrow March of 1936, an event that would later inform his social consciousness. He spent his formative years in Hull, a city whose landscape and people profoundly shaped his creative outlook. He received his secondary education at Hull Grammar School before studying architecture at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, a discipline that influenced his precise, structural approach to storytelling. During his university years, he became actively involved with the Newcastle Playhouse and began writing for student publications, laying the groundwork for his future career.

Career

Plater's professional writing career began in the early 1960s with contributions to the groundbreaking police series Z Cars, which revolutionized television drama with its gritty realism. He quickly became a sought-after writer for anthology series like The Wednesday Play and Play for Today, penning acclaimed works such as The Land of Green Ginger. His prolific output for television included classic adaptations like The Barchester Chronicles for the BBC and the ambitious BBC Two series Fortunes of War. In the 1980s, he created his most popular original series, the jazz-inflected trilogy beginning with The Beiderbecke Affair for Yorkshire Television. His theatrical work was also substantial, with plays staged at institutions like the Royal Shakespeare Company and Hampstead Theatre, while his radio drama included the long-running series The Navy Lark.

Writing style and themes

Plater's writing was characterized by warm, witty dialogue and a deep affection for his characters, often ordinary people navigating bureaucratic or social absurdities. Recurring themes included a love for jazz music, particularly the works of Duke Ellington and Bix Beiderbecke, which provided both soundtrack and metaphor in his narratives. His work consistently championed the Labour-leaning politics of his Northern England roots, exploring themes of community, integrity, and resistance against authority with a light, comedic touch. This unique blend of social commentary and gentle humor, set against authentic regional backdrops like Hull and Newcastle upon Tyne, made his voice instantly recognizable and widely cherished.

Personal life

In 1959, Plater married fellow writer Shirley Rubinstein, who later wrote under the name Shirley Gee; their creative partnership was a cornerstone of his life until her death in 1999. The couple had three children and made their family home in London, though Plater maintained strong ties to Hull throughout his life. He was a passionate supporter of Hull City A.F.C. and an avid cricket fan, interests that occasionally surfaced in his work. Known for his generosity and mentorship, he served as President of the Writers' Guild of Great Britain and was a committed advocate for writers' rights within the industry.

Legacy and awards

Alan Plater left an indelible mark on British culture, with his work celebrated for its humanity, humor, and authentic regional voice. His numerous honors include a BAFTA for Best Drama Series for Fortunes of War and a Royal Television Society Award for his lifetime contribution. He was appointed a CBE in the 2005 Birthday Honours for services to drama. The University of Hull awarded him an honorary doctorate, and his archive is held at the British Library. His influence endures in the work of subsequent generations of writers who champion regional stories, ensuring his place as a cornerstone of 20th-century British television and theatre.

Category:English screenwriters Category:English dramatists and playwrights Category:1935 births Category:2010 deaths