On February 19th, 1951, the world welcomed a talented contemporary dramatist, librettist, screenwriter, and translator from Britain - Timberlake Wertenbaker. Born in New York, she spent her early years in Ciboure, a village in France's Basque region, where she was greatly influenced by adventure novels like those by Alexandre Dumas. It was during this time that Wertenbaker's love for theater ignited. However, her idyllic childhood was cut short when her father passed away from cancer in 1955, prompting her and her mother to return to New York. This experience of displacement and cultural dislocation would shape Wertenbaker's future work.
Wertenbaker's academic pursuits led her to St. John's College in Annapolis, where she studied philosophy and developed a keen interest in the works of Plato. In her twenties, she worked as a caption writer in New York, but as she approached her thirtieth birthday, she grew restless and disillusioned with corporate life. Seeking a change of pace, Wertenbaker moved to Somerset, England, in 1975 to work as a stable hand. And it was here that she began her writing journey. After a brief return to New York, she embarked on another adventure, this time to the Greek island of Spetse in 1976. There, she worked as a French teacher while continuing to write plays. Although she wrote the first draft of her famous play "The Third" in this year, it was not published until 1980.
Wertenbaker's career as a playwright took off in the late 1970s in London, where she initially wrote for smaller playhouses. However, by the 1980s, her talent had gained recognition and widespread acclaim. In 1983, she became a resident writer for the Shared Experience Theatre Company, followed by a residency at the Royal Court Theatre from 1984 to 1985. It was during this period that she wrote two of her most famous plays - "Our Country's Good" and "The Love of the Nightingale." The former premiered on September 10th, 1988, at the Royal Court Theatre and went on to win the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play that same year.
"The Love of the Nightingale" debuted in 1988 at The Other Place, Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford and was awarded the Eileen Anderson Central Television Drama Award. Another of Wertenbaker's notable works, "Three Birds Alighting on a Field," premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in 1991 and received numerous awards. That same year, "Our Country's Good" was nominated for a Tony Award. Wertenbaker served as a member of the Executive Council of the English Stage Company from 1992 to 1997 and then on the Executive Committee of PEN from 1998 to 2001.
In 2005 and 2006, Wertenbaker served as a professor of theatre at Georgetown University in Washington DC. She was an artist-in-residence at the Freud Museum in London in 2011. Currently, Wertenbaker is the artistic advisor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and holds the Chair in Playwriting at the University of East Anglia. She is also a member of the council of the Royal Society of Literature. Wertenbaker resides in North London with her husband, writer John Man, and their daughter.
Wertenbaker's most prominent works to date include three plays - "Our Country's Good," "The Love of the Nightingale," and "Three Birds Alighting on a Field." "Our Country's Good," a two-act play that explores themes of justice, humanity, and the transformative power of theatre for education and social change, premiered in 1988. Set in the 1780s, the play follows a group of British convicts who are sent to the first penal colony in Australia and the Royal Marines who accompany them. Based on a true story, "Our Country's Good" garnered critical acclaim, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Play of the Year and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Foreign Play.
In 1989, the play was adapted into an opera with music composed by Richard Mills and a libretto by Wertenbaker. The timeless themes of love, passion, and betrayal are explored in Wertenbaker's "The Love of the Nightingale," which has captivated audiences since its debut. And finally, "Three Birds Alighting on a Field," a play that delves into the complex relationships and dynamics of a group of friends, highlights Wertenbaker's skill for crafting compelling and thought-provoking narratives.
With a career spanning decades and numerous renowned works, Timberlake Wertenbaker has solidified her place as one of Britain's finest contemporary writers, continually captivating audiences with her unique voice and powerful storytelling.
The Love of the Nightingale, a play inspired by the ancient Greek myth of Philomena, tells the story of a young woman who is raped by her brother-in-law and seeks revenge with her sister. Written by Timberlake Wertenbaker, this feminist adaptation premiered in 1991 at the Royal Court Theatre in London and received critical acclaim, winning three awards. The play explores themes of feminism, politics, and Greek mythology against the backdrop of Thatcher-era London.
One of Wertenbaker's earlier works, Three Birds Alighting on a Field was first performed in 1991 and also received widespread praise. Set in the art scene of that time, the play satirically delves into themes of feminism, politics, and the human experience. It won three awards, including the London Critics' Circle Best West End Play Award, the Writer's Guild Award for best West End play, and the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize.
Throughout her career, Timberlake Wertenbaker has been known for her thought-provoking plays that challenge societal norms and offer insight into the human condition. Her works revolve around themes of displacement, identity, and social change, making her a prominent figure in contemporary English literature.
In her 27 plays, Wertenbaker continuously explores themes of displacement, identity, and social change, shedding light on these complex issues. Through her characters, she examines the challenges of adapting to a new country and the isolation experienced by foreigners. She also delves into the concept of identity and how it relates to culture, heritage, and language.
Furthermore, Wertenbaker's plays often tackle issues of social change, from colonialism and sexism to classism and immigration. In Our Country's Good, she showcases how change is possible even in a small society like a penal colony. And in The Love of the Nightingale, she presents rape from a feminist perspective, highlighting its impact on society as a whole rather than just individuals.
Born in 1951, Timberlake Wertenbaker has made significant contributions to English literature through her original works as well as her translations and adaptations of ancient Greek authors and French playwrights. She has also written for radio and television, covering a wide range of historical and contemporary subjects, including colonialism, Greek mythology, and the power of art.
Wertenbaker's unique writing style, characterized by its poetic and naturalistic qualities, has earned her critical acclaim and a loyal following. Her plays continue to be performed and studied, making her a highly respected figure in the world of theatre.
In summary, Timberlake Wertenbaker is a celebrated British playwright, translator, and screenwriter known for her award-winning plays, such as Our Country's Good, The Love of the Nightingale, and Three Birds Alighting on a Field. Her thought-provoking works explore themes of displacement, identity, and social change, making her a prominent figure in contemporary English literature. Her contributions to the world of theatre have left a lasting impact and continue to be appreciated by audiences worldwide.
Aside from her brilliant original plays, Timberlake Wertenbaker is also renowned for her adaptations of classic works for the stage, bringing a fresh perspective to timeless stories. Her writing is both captivating and thought-provoking, earning her critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase in the world of theatre.
Without a doubt, Timberlake Wertenbaker has made a lasting impact on the theatre scene. Her distinctive vision and powerful writing continue to captivate and inspire audiences around the globe.
