Christopher Hampton

Sir Christopher Hampton CBE FRSL is an acclaimed British playwright, screenwriter, and translator. He was born in Portugal but spent much of his childhood in Egypt, before fleeing to England with his parents during the Suez Crisis. He became involved in theatre while at Oxford University where The Oxford University Dramatic Society performed his first original play, When Did you Last See Your Father? (1966). The play gained him early success, debuting at the Royal Court and later the Comedy Theatre. By 1966, Hampton was the youngest writer in the modern era to have a play performed in the West End. From 1968 to 1970, Hampton worked as the Resident Dramatist and literary manager at the Royal Court Theatre.

Hampton is also known for adapting Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1985), which won the Olivier Award and established his reputation internationally. Hampton’s work often explores power, morality, and human complexity. In addition to his original plays, he has translated and adapted numerous works from French, including plays by Yasmina Reza, and has earned accolades for his film screenplays, including an Academy Award for Dangerous Liaisons (1988). Hampton was knighted in 2020 for services to drama.

Christopher Hampton spoke to Simon Stephens in S4 Ep2 of Playwright’s Podcast.