Arnold Wesker
British playwright whose kitchen-sink realism brought working-class Jewish life to the London stage. The Wesker Trilogy (Chicken Soup with Barley, Roots, I'm Talking about Jerusalem) is a sustained portrait of postwar socialist idealism and its disappointments. He also founded Centre 42, an arts organization aimed at working-class audiences.
Works
- RootsSecond play of Wesker trilogy charting post-war Jewish working-class family transformation
- Chicken Soup with BarleyFirst play of trilogy following Jewish family through post-war political awakening
- The KitchenFrantic naturalistic comedy set in chaotic restaurant kitchen during service
- Chips with EverythingDrama exploring class resentment among young working-class airmen in Cold War barracks
- I'm Talking About JerusalemThird Wesker trilogy play depicting idealistic family's retreat from political engagement
- The Four SeasonsComedy exploring marriage and seasonal change through overlapping four-season scenes