Jez Butterworth

Jez Butterworth is a British playwright and screenwriter renowned for his vivid storytelling, often rooted in myth, folklore, and the complexities of English identity. Butterworth’s first play, Mojo (1995), a dark, fast-paced gangster drama set in the 1950s rock ‘n’ roll scene, won the Olivier Award for Best Comedy and was staged at the Royal Court Theatre. His signature play, Jerusalem (2009), garnered critical acclaim for its exploration of freedom, rebellion, and “Englishness”, winning multiple awards, including the Evening Standard Award for Best Play. Other notable theatrical works, such as The Ferryman (2017), which explores family dynamics and the Irish Troubles, earned him widespread acclaim and a Tony Award for Best Play. Butterworth’s work often incorporates elements of dark humour, blending the personal with the mythical.

Butterworth spoke to Simon Stephens in S3 Ep1 of Playwright’s Podcast.