British playwright Peter Nichols has died aged 92.
The Bristol-born writer was best known for his plays A Day In The Death Of Joe Egg, Privates On Parade and The National Health.
A statement from his agent Alan Brodie said Nichols died on September 7.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of one of Britain’s foremost playwrights, Peter Nichols”, it read.
“Peter, 92, died peacefully on Saturday morning in Oxford. His wife Thelma was at his bedside. The family would like to thank those who have sent messages for their kindness”.
Nichols was born in Bristol in 1927 and educated at the city’s grammar school.
He then trained as an actor at the Old Vic theatre school and went on to write 32 stage plays, 25 television plays, 11 films and 7 novels including an episode of Inspector Morse and the musical comedy play, Poppy.
He was awarded a CBE for services to drama in 2018.
A Day In The Death Of Joe Egg was first staged at the Glasgow Citizens Theatre in 1967 and centres on a British couple struggling to save their marriage while caring for their disabled daughter.
A new production of the play is due to open at London’s Trafalgar Studios on September 21, starring Toby Stephens, Patricia Hodge and Claire Skinner.
The play’s producer Sir Howard Panter said in a statement: “Peter was one of British theatre’s greatest writers of the last 60 years”.
“As the company rehearse Joe Egg – his funny, moving and perhaps greatest masterpiece – ahead of its West End opening next week, Peter to his very last was emailing notes and involved in the production as he had always done”.
“We are so pleased we have been in rehearsals for long enough for the company to hear from Peter his experience of bringing up his daughter and how that informed Joe Egg. Bringing the authenticity that was a hallmark of Peter’s work”.
Tickets are available here.
#Peace.Love.PeterNichols
