Roy Williams OBE FRSL
DOB - DOD
1968
Home Town
London, England
Stage Debut
1996
Roy Williams is a British playwright known for his exploration of race, class, and social issues within contemporary Britain. Raised in Notting Hill, London, Williams grew up observing the cultural tensions and complexities of the city, experiences that heavily influence his work. His writing career began in the 1990s, and he gained recognition for his debut play, The No Boys Cricket Club, which won the Writers’ Guild New Writer of the Year Award in 1996. Williams’ work is characterised by his sharp dialogue and his focus on issues such as identity, community, and racial conflict.
Williams is one of the most prominent Black British playwrights, and his plays have been staged at leading theatres, including the Royal Court and the National Theatre. Notable works include Lift Off (2000), Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads (2002), Fallout (2003), and Sucker Punch (2010). His play Death of England (2020), co-written with Clint Dyer, delves into themes of nationalism, racism, and identity. Throughout his career, Williams has been recognised with numerous accolades, including an OBE for services to drama in 2008.
Williams spoke to Simon Stephens in S2 Ep10 of Playwright’s Podcast.
Works by Roy Williams OBE FRSL
Flight 5065
2005Joe Penhall , Simon Stephens , Anthony Neilson , Lucy Prebble , David Eldridge , Robin French , Ramin Gray , Debbie Tucker Green , Jason Hall , Dawn King , Chloe Moss , Christopher Rodriguez , James Wilton , Laura Wade , Alexi Zegerman
Playwright at Your Table
2013Alexi Kaye Campbell , Brad Birch , Caryl Churchill , David Eldridge , Dennis Kelly , Hayley Squires , James Graham , John Donnelly , Laura Wade , Leo Butler , Mike Bartlett , Moira Buffini , Nick Payne , Penelope Skinner , Philip Ridley , Richard Bean , Robert Holman , Simon Stephens , Stephen Jeffreys , Timberlake Wertenbaker
Soap Opera
2013Bola Agbaje , Brad Birch , Alice Birch , Adam Brace , Robin French , Lucy Kirkwood , Chloe Moss , David Watson
Peckham: The Soap Opera
2013Bola Agbaje , Brad Birch , Alice Birch , Adam Brace , Robin French , Lucy Kirkwood , Chloe Moss , David Watson
Children's Monologues
2015Children Growing up in Rammulotsi , James Graham , Tanika Gupta MBE , Sir David Hare , Amy Jephta , Neil LaBute , Napo Masheane , Eliot Moleba , Mongiwekhaya , Jack Thorne , Laura Wade , Richard Warlow , Roy Williams OBE FRSL