Sir Richard Eyre and playwrights Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Ella Hickson and Gillian Slovo, explore the development of British playwriting since the end of censorship in 1968.

If we can’t be provocative in the theatre where can we be provocative.
Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti

Marking 50 years since the Lord Chamberlain was stripped of his power to censor plays, three theatre writers examine playwriting in the UK and freedom of expression. The panel, including director Sir Richard Eyre and playwrights Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Ella Hickson and Gillian Slovo, explore the development of British playwriting since the end of censorship in 1968. The speakers discuss whether the change in legislation heralded a change in artistic expression at the end of the 1960s, notable productions which have caused controversy since, and whether playwrights in the UK today are still troubled by censorship.

This is a Banned Books Week event in partnership with the British Library, English PEN, Free Word, Hachette UK, Index on Censorship, Islington Council’s Library and Heritage Service, Libraries Connected, Media Diversified and The Publisher’s Association.

Recorded on: September 27, 2018
Recorded at: British Library Knowledge Centre