Biography
Peter Barnes (10 January 1931 – 1 July 2004) was an English playwright and screenwriter. He was born in Bow, London, and educated at Marling School in Stroud. After national service in the Royal Air Force and early work as a film critic and story editor, he achieved success with his play The Ruling Class (1968), which he adapted for the 1972 film starring Peter O'Toole.
Barnes wrote for stage, film, radio and television. His screenplay for Enchanted April (1991), adapted from the novel by Elizabeth von Arnim, earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Other notable works include the television adaptations Merlin (1998), Alice in Wonderland (1999) and A Christmas Carol (1999), as well as the play Red Noses (1985), for which he won an Olivier Award.
