Barrie Colin Keeffe | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1945-10-31)31 October 1945 London, England |
| Died | 10 December 2019(2019-12-10) (aged 74) London, England |
| Education | East Ham Grammar School |
| Notable works | The Long Good Friday,Barbarians,Gimme Shelter,Sus |
| Notable awards | Paris CriticsPrix Revelations,Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Award |
| Spouse | Verity Bargate (d. 1981); Jacky Stoller (m. 2012) |
| Children | Sam Proud (1971); Tom Proud (1973) |
Barrie Colin Keeffe (31 October 1945 – 10 December 2019) was an Englishdramatist and screenwriter. Best known for his screenplay for the gangster classicThe Long Good Friday (1980), starringBob Hoskins andHelen Mirren, Keeffe demonstrated an interest in a variety of social and political issues, including disaffected youth and criminality.[1]
Born in London, Keeffe grew up inForest Gate, in the east of the city, the son of Edward Keeffe, a telecommunications engineer, and his wife, Constance (née Marsh).[1] His ancestors, the O'Keeffes, had arrived fromCounty Cork in the mid-19th century. He had a sister, Sue. Keeffe was educated atEast Ham Grammar School.[2] During the holidays he acted with theNational Youth Theatre.
From 1964 to 1975, he worked as a journalist withThe Stratford Express (which closed in 2011).[3] Some of his writing work, includingThe Long Good Friday, was inspired by stories he encountered as a journalist, and while drinking at theTwo Puddings pub on Stratford Broadway.
He published his debut novel,The Gadabout, in 1969.[2][4] His first television play,The Substitute, was produced in 1972, and his first theatre play,Only a Game, the following year. He became a full-time dramatic author in 1975.
He was writer-in-residence at theShaw Theatre in 1977, resident playwright with theRoyal Shakespeare Company in 1978, and associate writer at theTheatre Royal Stratford East from 1986 to 1991. During that period, Keeffe delivered "fifteen years of solid achievement at the top of his game".[1] In 2007, he took the helm at the Collaldra Writers School and Retreat,Venice. In 2011, he became writer in residence at London'sKingston University.
Keeffe's plays have been produced in 26 countries, and his screenwriting credits includeThe Long Good Friday (1981) andSus (2010), an adaptation of his 1979 play of the same name.
He was represented by The Agency, London.
Keeffe's writing explores social and political issues, including unemployment,institutionalised racism in the police (Sus), and class (Gimme Shelter).Better Times focuses on the 1921Poplar Rates Rebellion.[5] InBarbarians, Keeffe strove to "capture the energy of punk".[6]
Sus was revived at theYoung Vic in 2009, and toured the UK in 2010. TheBarbarians trilogy was revived in London in 2012 and 2015 by Tooting Arts Club, and at the Young Vic, also in 2015.[7][8][9][10]
Keeffe taught dramatic writing atCity University, London (2002–06), was Judith J. Wilson Fellow atChrist's College, Cambridge (2003–04), and a visiting lecturer and patron of Writing for Performance atRuskin College, Oxford (2003–04). In 1995, theUnited Nations' fiftieth anniversary, he served as aUnited Nations Ambassador.
In 1978, Keeffe received the Paris CriticsPrix Revelations, and theMystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1982. In 2010, he was made anHonorary Doctor of Letters atWarwick University.
Keefe was married four times. His first marriage was to Dee Truman, a social worker, from 1969 until their divorce 10 years later. His second marriage was to the novelist and theatre directorVerity Bargate, who died in 1981. After her death, Keeffe was guardian to her two sons, whom he brought up.[1] His third marriage was to Julia Lindsay, a pop music agent, from 1983 until their divorce in 1993. In 2012, he married the film and television producer Jacky Stoller.
Keeffe died on 10 December 2019, following a brief undisclosed illness. He was 74.[11]
