Hare gained wider recognition with Plenty (1978), a play that examines post-war disillusionment in Britain, and The Secret Rapture (1988), which explores the intersections of personal and political life. His trilogy of state-of-the-nation plays—Racing Demon (1990), Murmuring Judges (1991), and The Absence of War (1993)—critically examined British institutions such as the Church of England, the legal system, and the Labour Party. These works solidified Hare’s reputation as a playwright engaged with contemporary political discourse, and many were staged at the National Theatre.
In addition to his theatre work, Hare has written numerous screenplays, including adaptations of his own plays and original scripts for films like The Hours (2002) and The Reader (2008). He has been nominated for several Academy Awards for his screenwriting. Over the course of his career, Hare has received multiple awards and honours, including a knighthood in 1998 for services to theatre.
Hare spoke to Simon Stephens in S1 Ep5 of Playwright’s Podcast.
