Gary Mitchell

Gary Mitchell is a Northern Irish playwright. He is best known for his plays In a Little world of Our own; As the Beast Sleeps (1998); and The Force of Change (2000).

Early life Gary Mitchell came from a working-class, loyalist background. and it later went to Belfast as part of an Abbey Theatre tour. The following year the Peacock Theatre produced his As The Beast Sleeps.

His works have also premiered at London's Royal Court Theatre.

Recognition and awards Mitchell was writer-in-residence at the Royal National Theatre in London in 1999.

In 2005, Angelique Chrisafis, writing in The Guardian, said that he had become "one of the most talked about voices in European theatre... whose political thrillers [had] arguably made him Northern Ireland's greatest playwright". He and his family had to live in hiding somewhere in Northern Ireland, which forced Mitchell to put his career on hold for five years.

Theatre Aisling Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Culture (2006) Remnants of Fear Evening Standard Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright (2000) The Force of Change Joint winner George Divine Award (2000) The Force of Change Pearson Best New Play Award (1999) Trust Belfast Arts Drama Award (1998) Sinking Belfast Arts Drama Award (1998) In a Little World of Our Own Irish Times Best New Play Award (1997) In a Little World of Our Own Stewart Parker Trust Award for Independent Voice

Film Belfast Arts Award for Best Film (2002) As the Beast Sleeps Best Short Film, Belfast Film Festival (2003) Suffering

Works Plays Pride of the Shore (2024) Mac Theatre, Belfast Burnt Out (2023) Lyric Theatre, Belfast Silly Moos (2023) (Primary schools) Grand Opera House, Belfast Safe as Seasons (2018) Festival, Belfast 1932:The People of Gallagher Street (2016) with Martin Lynch, The Mac, Belfast Smiley (2016) Lyric Theatre, Belfast Demented (2014) Lyric Theatre, Belfast Forget Turkey (We liked it so much we're going to Phuket again) (2013) with Dan Gordon and Colin Murphy, Lyric Theatre, Belfast Re-energize (2013) Playhouse, Derry Forget Turkey (We're going to Phuket this Christmas) (2012) with Dan Gordon and Colin Murphy, Lyric Theatre, Belfast Love Matters (2012) Aisling Ghear, Belfast Suicide Blonde (2010) Old Red Lion, London Remnants of Fear (2005) Dubbeljoint, Belfast Loyal Women (2003) Royal Court Downstairs, London The Force of Change (2000) Royal Court Upstairs/Downstairs, London Marching On (2000) Lyric, Belfast Holding Cell (2000) Tinderbox, Belfast Energy (1999) Playhouse, Derry Trust (1999) Royal Court Upstairs, London Tearing the Loom (1998) Lyric, Belfast As the Beast Sleeps (1998) Peacock, Dublin In a Little World of Our Own (1997) Peacock, Dublin Sinking (1997) Replay, Belfast That Driving Ambition (1995) Replay, Belfast Alternative Future (1994) Point Fields, Belfast Independent Voice (1993) Tinderbox, Belfast

Radio plays Tubes (2022) RTE Radio 1 Fighting Cowardice (2014) RTÉ Radio 1 Ulster Volunteers (2014) RTÉ Radio 1 Loves Worst Day (2013) BBC Radio 4 Babies (2012) RTÉ Radio 1 Freedom of Poverty (2011) RTÉ Radio 1 Ian Really Likes Mary (2010) RTÉ Radio 1 Echoes of War (2009) BBC Radio 3 Forgotten People Part Two (2009) RTÉ Radio 1 Forgotten People Part One (2009) RTÉ Radio 1 Just 'Cause (2008) RTÉ Radio 1 Loyal Women (2003) BBC Radio 4 The Force of Change (2002) BBC Radio 4 As the Beast Sleeps (2001) BBC Radio 4 At the Base of the Pyramid (1997) BBC Radio 4 Drumcree (1996) BBC Radio 4 Dividing Force Episode Three: Useless Tools (1995) BBC Radio 4 Dividing Force Episode Two: Raising the Standard (1995) BBC Radio 4 Dividing Force Episode One: Above the Law (1995) BBC Radio 4 Stranded (1995) BBC Radio 3 Mandarin Lime (1995) with Jimmy Murphy BBC Radio 3 Poison Hearts (1994) BBC Radio 4 Independent Voice (1993) BBC Radio 4 A Tearful of Dreams (1993) BBC Radio 4 The World, the Flesh and the Devil (1991) BBC Radio 4

Television Eight Days That Made Rome (episodes) (2017) Channel 5 (UK)

Films Suffering (2003) Writer/director As the Beast Sleeps (2002) BBC 2 An Officer From France (1998) RTÉ 1 Made in Heaven (1996) BBC Education

Published Plays Burnt Out (2023) Loyal Women (2003) As the Beast Sleeps (2001) The Force of Change (2000) Trust (1999) Tearing the Loom (1998) In a Little World of Our Own (1998)