Gary Mitchell facts for kids

Gary Mitchell (born May 3, 1965) is a well-known writer from Northern Ireland. He writes exciting plays for the theatre, radio, and television. By the early 2000s, many people considered him one of the most important playwrights (play writers) in Europe. His plays, often called "political thrillers," have made him a very respected writer in Northern Ireland.

About Gary Mitchell

Gary grew up in a working-class area of Northern Ireland. His first writing jobs were for BBC Radio 4. His first big success in theatre was a play called In a Little World of Our Own. This play showed a strong and honest picture of a certain culture in Northern Ireland. It won an award for Best New Play in 1997 from The Irish Times. The play was so popular that it later traveled to Belfast as part of a theatre tour. The next year, another one of his plays, As The Beast Sleeps, was also performed.

Important Achievements

In 1999, Gary was chosen to be the writer-in-residence at the Royal National Theatre in London. This is a special role where a writer works closely with a theatre. Many of his plays have also been shown at the Royal Court Theatre in London. His play Force of Change won a big award called the Evening Standard Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright. He also won the respected Stewart Parker Award for his play Independent Voice, and the George Devine Award.

Facing Challenges

In November 2005, Gary and his family had to leave their home in Rathcoole, a suburb of Belfast. They had to live in hiding in Northern Ireland for five years, which meant Gary had to pause his writing career. After this difficult time, he returned to writing and continued to achieve great things. He later won the Aisling Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Culture.

Gary Mitchell's Works

Gary Mitchell has written many plays for different types of media.

Plays for the Stage

He has written numerous plays that have been performed in theatres, mostly in Belfast and Dublin. Some of his recent plays include:

• Pride of the Shore (2024)
• Burnt Out (2023)
• Silly Moos (2023) – written for primary schools
• Safe as Seasons (2018)
• Smiley (2016)
• Demented (2014)
• Loyal Women (2003)
• The Force of Change (2000)
• As the Beast Sleeps (1998)
• In a Little World of Our Own (1997)
• Independent Voice (1993)

Radio Plays

Gary has also written many plays for radio, which are like stories you listen to. These have been broadcast on BBC Radio and RTÉ Radio. Some of these include:

• Tubes (2022)
• Fighting Cowardice (2014)
• Loves Worst Day (2013)
• Echoes of War (2009)
• Loyal Women (2003)
• As the Beast Sleeps (2001)
• Drumcree (1996)
• Poison Hearts (1994)
• Independent Voice (1993)

Television and Film

Gary has also written for television and film:

• Eight Days That Made Rome (episodes) (2017) – for Channel 5 (UK)
• Suffering (2003) – where he was also the director
• As the Beast Sleeps (2002) – for BBC 2

Published Plays

Many of Gary Mitchell's plays have been published as books, so people can read them. These include:

• Burnt Out (2023)
• Loyal Women (2003)
• As the Beast Sleeps (2001)
• The Force of Change (2000)
• In a Little World of Our Own (1998)

Awards and Recognition

Gary Mitchell has received many awards for his writing.

Theatre Awards

• Aisling Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Culture (2006) for Remnants of Fear
• Evening Standard Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright (2000) for The Force of Change
• George Devine Award (2000) for The Force of Change (joint winner)
• Pearson Best New Play Award (1999) for Trust
• Belfast Arts Drama Award (1998) for Sinking
• Belfast Arts Drama Award (1998) for In a Little World of Our Own
• Irish Times Best New Play Award (1997) for In a Little World of Our Own

Film Awards

• Belfast Arts Award for Best Film (2002) for As the Beast Sleeps
• Best Short Film, Belfast Film Festival (2003) for Suffering

See also

• List of Northern Irish writers