Christopher Morahan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christopher Morahan
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Morahan at the National Theatre Studio in 2010
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| Born |
Christopher Thomas Morahan
9 July 1929 London, England
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| Died | 7 April 2017 (aged 87) Guildford, England
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| Occupation | Director |
| Years active | 1957–2017 |
| Spouse(s) | Joan Murray (her death) Anna Carteret |
| Children | 5, including Andy and Hattie |
Christopher Thomas Morahan was a famous British director. He worked on both stage plays and television shows. He was also a production executive, which means he helped manage the making of TV programs. He was honored with the CBE for his great work in drama.
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About Christopher Morahan
His Early Life and Career Beginnings
Christopher Morahan was born in London, England, on July 9, 1929. His father, Tom Morahan, designed sets for films. His mother, Nancy Charlotte Barker, was an artist.
After finishing school, Christopher thought about becoming an architect. But he realized it would take a long time to start earning money. So, he decided to work in the film industry instead. A director named Thorold Dickinson told him to learn about acting and theatre first. Christopher then trained at the Old Vic Theatre School starting in 1947.
He first worked as an actor and a stage manager. He even worked briefly on a play called Othello with the famous director Orson Welles. Later, he joined a TV company called ATV. In 1957, he became a television director. One of his first shows was Emergency Ward 10, a new TV series at the time.
Working at the BBC and in Theatre
Christopher Morahan became well-known for his work at the BBC. He directed many important TV plays. He worked with writer John Hopkins on shows like Z-Cars. He also directed Fable (1965), a play that explored serious social issues. Another notable work was Talking to a Stranger (1966). The actress Judi Dench gave an amazing performance in this show.
From 1972 to 1976, Christopher was the Head of Plays for BBC Television. This was a very important job. He was in charge of popular series like Play for Today and Play of the Month. He helped create shows that told interesting stories about life in Britain. For example, he commissioned Days of Hope (1975), a four-part series about working-class life. He also supported directors like Roy Battersby, even when others disagreed.
His first stage play as a director was Little Murders in 1967. He directed it for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Later Career Highlights
In 1977, Christopher Morahan joined the Royal National Theatre. He became a Deputy Director there. He also helped manage the Olivier Theatre, which is a big stage.
One of his most famous projects was the 14-part TV drama The Jewel in the Crown (1984). He was a co-director and producer for this series. It won a Primetime Emmy Award and a BAFTA TV Award. These are very important awards for television. He also directed the film Clockwise (1986), which starred John Cleese.
His Family and Awards
Christopher Morahan had five children. His first wife, Joan Lucie Murray, passed away in 1973. They had two sons, including director Andy Morahan. After Joan's death, Christopher married actress Anna Carteret. They had two daughters, Rebecca and actress Hattie Morahan.
In 2011, Christopher Morahan was given the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). This was to recognize his important contributions to drama.
Christopher Morahan passed away on April 7, 2017.
Selected Works Directed by Christopher Morahan
Christopher Morahan directed many different types of shows and films. Here are some of his notable works:
Television Shows
- The Road (1963)
- Fable (1965)
- Talking to a Stranger (1966)
- Uncle Vanya (1970)
- Fathers and Families (1977)
- The Jewel in the Crown (1984)
- After Pilkington (1987)
- A Dance to the Music of Time' (1997)
Films
- Diamonds for Breakfast (1968)
- All Neat in Black Stockings (1969)
- Clockwise (1986)
- Paper Mask (1990)
- Element of Doubt (1996)
Theatre Plays
- Little Murders (1967)
- The Caretaker (1972)
- Brand (1978)
- Richard III (1979)
- Wild Honey (1984)
- The Importance of Being Earnest (1999)
- Quartet (1999)
