Stephen Jeffreys, playwright and author of The Libertine, dies aged 68

Playwright Stephen Jeffreys has died at the age of 68, it has been announced.

Tributes to the playwright, who wrote The Libertine which was revived in the West End in 2016, have been pouring in from writers, actors and the theatre industry.

The Libertine originally opened at the Royal Court in 1994 and was later made into a film starring John Malkovich and Johnny Depp. Jeffreys adapted the play himself into the screenplay.

Jeffreys originally worked at the Royal Court and became a literary associate at the theatre in 1992. His other plays included Valued Friends and The Clink, A Going Concern and Backbeat which ran at the Duke of York's Theatre in 2011. He wrote the screenplay for the biopic Diana in 2013, which starred Naomi Watts.

In the Guardian, David Edgar wrote : "He was justly famous for his understanding of playwriting technique which he passed on to emergent dramatists including Simon Stephens, Winsome Pinnock, Tanika Gupta and Roy Williams."

Jeffreys was born in 1950 and died aged 68 in 2018. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

Rest in peace, Stephen Jeffreys. You were a true writer and teacher and lie between the lines in many hundreds of writers' plays.

We're greatly saddened to learn of the passing of celebrated playwright, dedicated mentor and cherished NHB author Stephen Jeffreys. RIP. pic.twitter.com/jhtug6BKRF

Very sad to hear of the death of Stephen Jeffreys; a questing, funny, dazzling playwright perhaps best known for The Libertine. Many of us also knew him as a hugely generous teacher. I still use the structure work he taught me in 1993. He shaped a generation of UK playwrights.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of wonderful Stephen Jeffreys.

Not only were several of his marvellous plays performed here, but his influence extended much further through his generous guidance and mentoring. RIP Stephen.

My mentor. My teacher. My friend. The kindest and wisest. See you later down the road Stephen J. https://t.co/afXjMINgNS