John Godber is a renowned playwright, director, and teacher, best known for his groundbreaking work in theatre. With a total of twenty-eight plays to his credit, he has made a significant impact on the stage. However, his contributions to television are also noteworthy, with a substantial number of plays written and directed for the small screen.
Godber's professional journey began at the tender age of twenty-three when Southern Television broadcast his play "Toys of Age" live, which was an entry in the 1979 National Student Drama Festival. This breakthrough led to further opportunities, and he went on to graduate from Bretton Hall College, Yorkshire, with a degree in drama and English.
After completing his Master's in Theatre at the University of Leeds, Godber became a qualified teacher of drama and English. He then returned to his alma mater, Minsthorpe Secondary School, where he served as the head of drama. During this time, he began to hone his skills as a playwright, director, and actor, producing a string of successful shows at the National Student Drama Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
In 1984, at the age of twenty-six, Godber was appointed Artistic Director of the Hull Truck Theatre Company. His first commission for the company was the play "Up n Under," which went on to win the prestigious Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. This marked the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with Hull Truck, where he continues to produce and direct the premier productions of his plays.
Godber's future plans include adapting one of his stage plays into a film, pending the commercial success of "Up n Under." With his impressive body of work and continued success, John Godber remains a prominent figure in the world of theatre and television.
