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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).

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Michael Abbensetts, by Horace Ové - NPG x126724

Michael Abbensetts

by Horace Ové
giclée print, 2003
NPG x126724

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