David Edgar to lead discussion of playwriting at Oxford University

Playwright David Edgar has been announced as the new visiting professor of drama studies at Oxford University.

As part of the post Edgar will discuss the future of the playwright in a week-long series of talks and discussions next month.

Edgar said: "A huge change is happening in British theatre. Throughout the last century, theatre programmes were dominated by revivals. Now, for the first time for at least a hundred years, new work has overtaken old work in the repertoire.

"At the same time, however, there has been a shift of opinion against playwriting, in favour of collective methods of theatre. The very activity of playwriting has been attacked as individualistic, undemocratic and even immoral."

Edgar, who has written over 60 plays, will take part in a number of events in Oxford from 2 to 7 February, which are free and open to the public.

He added: "Over the first week in February, I’m bringing together a group of playwrights, theatre practitioners and critics to discuss whether the playwright is dead, and – if not – what the challenge to his and her status will have on the theatre as a whole."

Other writers taking part in the discussions include April de Angelis, David Greig, Rachel De-lahay, and Chris Goode.

For more information click here