Search the Collection

Michael Abbensetts

(1938-2016), Playwright and television screenwriter

Sitter in 1 portrait
Playwright. Born and educated in Guyana. Abbensetts intended to be a short story writer, but was inspired by John Osborne's Look Back in Anger to become a playwright. His first play Sweet Talk was premiered at the Royal Court in London in 1973 and was followed by The Museum Attendant for BBC TV. In 1974 he took British citizenship and became resident dramatist at the Royal Court. He wrote the television series, Empire Road (1978-9) which was the first written by a black writer with black actors. In 1979 Abbensetts received an award for an 'Outstanding Contribution To Literature' by a black writer resident in England. Later work includes the Channel 4 series Little Napoleons (1994).

1 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

List Thumbnail

Michael Abbensetts, by Horace Ové - NPG x126724

Michael Abbensetts

by Horace Ové
giclée print, 2003
NPG x126724

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.