Winsome Pinnock facts for kids

Winsome Pinnock, born in 1961, is a famous British writer. She writes plays for the stage. Her family comes from Jamaica. Many people call her "the godmother of black British playwrights." This means she is a very important and respected writer in the theater world.

Early Life and Education

Winsome Pinnock grew up in North London. Her parents moved there from Jamaica. Her mom worked as a cleaner. Her dad was a checker at a meat market.

Winsome went to Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School. Later, she studied at Goldsmiths' College. She earned a degree in English and Drama. She also got a master's degree from Birkbeck College.

Plays and Other Works

Winsome Pinnock has written many award-winning plays. Some of her well-known plays include The Winds of Change (1987) and Leave Taking (1988). She also wrote Talking in Tongues (1991) and Mules (1996).

Her play A Rock in Water (1989) was inspired by the life of Claudia Jones. Claudia Jones was an important activist. Winsome has also written for radio and television. Her work is featured in the book New Daughters of Africa. This book collects writings by African women.

Teaching and Recognition

Winsome Pinnock has taught at universities. She was a visiting lecturer at Royal Holloway College. She was also a senior visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge. Today, she teaches at Kingston University in London.

In 2020, she became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature (FRSL). This is a special honor for writers. In 2022, she won the Windham-Campbell Literature Prize for drama. This is a major international award.

Awards and Honors

Winsome Pinnock has received many awards for her writing:

• 1991: George Devine Award
• Unity Theatre Trust Award
• Pearson Plays on Stage Award For Best Play of the Year
• 2018: Alfred Fagon Award
• 2020: Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature
• 2022: Windham-Campbell Literature Prize (drama)

Selected Plays

Here are some of Winsome Pinnock's plays:

• The Winds Of Change, 1987
• Leave Taking, 1988
• Picture Palace, 1988
• A Rock In Water, 1989
• A Hero's Welcome, 1989
• Talking In Tongues, 1991
• Mules, 1996
• Can You Keep a Secret?, 1999
• Water, 2000
• One Under, 2005
• IDP, 2006
• Taken, 2010
• The Principles of Cartography, 2017
• Rockets and Blue Lights, 2018