Peter Shaffer - Definition and Overview

Peter Shaffer (born May 15, 1926) is a British dramatist, author of numerous award-winning plays, several of which have been filmed. He was born in Liverpool, and is the twin brother of another playwright, Anthony Shaffer. He gained a scholarship to Cambridge University to read History.

Peter Shaffer's works include:

• The Salt Land (1954), his first play, which was presented on BBC television.
• Balance Of Terror (1957)
• The Prodigal Father (1957)
• Five Finger Exercise (1958)
• The Private Ear and The Public Eye (1962)
• The Establishment (1963)
• The Merry Roosters Panto (1963)
• The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1964) which examines the conquest of Peru by the Spanish, and was made into a 1969 film.
• Black Comedy (1965) which explores the effect loss of light would have on a group of people who all hold things from each other.
• The White Liars (1967)
• The Battle of Shrivings (1970)
• Equus (1973), which involves a stable-boy who stabs 6 horses in their eyes, won the 1975 Tony Award for Best Play and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, and was made into a 1977 film.
• Amadeus (1979) which tells the story of how court composer Antonio Salieri attempted to destroy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart of whom he was jealous, and also won a Tony Award for Best Play, in 1981. It was made into a 1984 film, which won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture.
• Black Mischief (1983)
• Yonadab (1985)
• Lettice and Lovage (1987)
• This Savage Parade (1987)
• Whom Do I Have The Honour Of Addressing? (1990)
• The Gift of the Gorgon (1992)
• Footfalls (1993)