Peter Shaffer
Peter Shaffer: A Life of Drama and Inspiration
Full Name and Common Aliases
Peter John Shaffer was a British playwright, screenwriter, and author, commonly referred to as simply Peter Shaffer.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on May 15, 1926, in Leeds, England, Shaffer passed away on June 6, 2016, at the age of 90.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Shaffer was a British national by birth and profession. He is best known for his work as a playwright, but he also wrote screenplays and novels.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Leeds during World War II had a significant impact on Shaffer's life. His family moved to London when he was young, and he spent much of his childhood navigating the city during its wartime struggles. This experience would later influence his writing style and themes of human resilience. Shaffer attended Magdalen College School in Oxford before enrolling at Cambridge University, where he studied English literature.
Major Accomplishments
Shaffer's career spanned over four decades and included numerous notable accomplishments:
Playwright: His plays often explored the complexities of human nature, morality, and the consequences of one's actions. Notable works include _The Royal Hunt of the Sun_, which examined the conquests of the Spanish Empire; _Equus_, a psychological drama about a young man's relationship with horses; and _Amadeus_, a fictionalized account of Mozart's life.
Screenwriter: Shaffer adapted his play _Amadeus_ for the screen, earning him an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He also wrote the screenplay for _The Tumbler_.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Shaffer's most notable works and actions include:
Awards and Recognition: In addition to his Oscar win, Shaffer received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career, including multiple Tony Awards, Olivier Awards, and a BAFTA Award.
Influence on the Stage: Shaffer's plays often pushed the boundaries of dramatic storytelling, incorporating elements of music, dance, and visual spectacle. His work has been widely performed and admired around the world.
Impact and Legacy
Shaffer's impact on the world of drama and literature is undeniable:
Exploring Human Nature: Through his writing, Shaffer probed the complexities of human nature, encouraging audiences to reflect on their own values and actions.
Influence on Future Generations: His work has inspired countless writers, directors, and actors, shaping the course of modern drama.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Shaffer's quotes often provide insight into his creative process and artistic vision:
"The theatre is a place where magic happens. It's a place where people come together to experience something extraordinary."
"I believe that the theatre should be a kind of sacrament, a way of experiencing the divine in human form."
These words capture the essence of Shaffer's legacy: his unwavering commitment to exploring the human condition and his unshakeable faith in the transformative power of drama.
Quotes by Peter Shaffer
I think plays, like books, are endemic. They grow out of the soil of the writer and the place he’s writing about. I think, you just can’t move them about, you know.
You never quite know what’s going to strike your imagination, or something that won’t going to leave you alone, not going to leave alone, and this was one for me.
That’s what his stare has been saying to me all this time: ‘At least I galloped – when did you?
What did I expect of him? Very little, I promise you. One more dented little face. One more adolescent freak. The usual unusual. One great thing about being in the adjustment business: you’re never short of customers.
All my wife has ever taken from the Mediterranean – from that whole vast intuitive culture – are four bottles of Chianti to make into lamps, and two china condiment donkeys labelled Sally and Peppy.
I looked on astounded as from his ordinary life he made his art. We were both ordinary men, he and I. Yet from the ordinary he created Legends – and I from Legends created only the ordinary!
A child is born into a world of phenomena all equal in their power to enslave. It sniffs – it sucks – it strokes its eyes over the whole uncomfortable range. Suddenly one strikes. Why? Moments snap together like magnets, forging a chain of shackles.