Skip to main content

John Mackendrick Collection

Archive Collection: BC MS 20c Mackendrick

Details

Type of record: Archive

Title: John Mackendrick Collection

Level: Collection

Classmark: BC MS 20c Mackendrick

Creator(s): Mackendrick, John (1946-1979)()

Date(s): 1970-1994

Language: English

Size and medium: 5 boxes and 9 large rolled posters; manuscript, typescript, photographs, press cuttings, and printed material (some photocopy).

Persistent link: https://explore.library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections-explore/8549

Collection group(s): English Literature

Description

The collection includes drafts of plays by Mackendrick, photographs of his productions, newspaper reviews, posters, flyers and correspondence.

Biography or history

John Mackendrick, the playwright, was born in Heckmondwike in 1946, brought up in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and educated at Worksop College. He studied English at Nottingham University before taking a variety of jobs in England, India, the Far East and Australia. He studied drama at Leeds University in 1975, and in 1976 became Yorkshire Arts Fellow in Creative Writing attached to Bretton Hall College of Education and Sheffield University. In 1977 he was appointed a Resident Dramatist at the National Theatre. He wrote five major plays: 'Ludd!', 'Doctor Struensee', 'Lavender Blue', 'Canticle', and 'Rules'. In addition Mackendrick wrote some shorter plays, collections of poetry, short stories and criticism. He committed suicide at his home in Bristol on 16 January 1979.

Access and usage

Access

This collection is subject to various access conditions. Please see individual catalogue descriptions for further details on access.

Collection hierarchy

Visitor Basket

Ref No. Item Ref Title