TV director who made dramas by some of the top screenwriters of the 1980s and 90s, such as Alan Bennett and Alan Plater
December 2021
Peggy for You review – Tamsin Greig’s charisma cannot save dated drama
Alan Plater’s 60s-set play honouring agent Peggy Ramsay hasn’t aged well – her once maverick ideas now look outmoded
July 2017
This be the place… Larkin flats to get second plaque
Letters: The plaque on a building where Philip Larkin lived may be joined by a second, for another acclaimed occupant, as Stephanie Wilson explains
August 2012
The Northerner
Tony Scott and the image of northern England
The brothers-in-film have been brilliant and Tony Scott will be sadly missed. He and Sir Ridley have also been part of a fascinating process: the creation of an unreal world beloved of London - and therefore of the UK's decision-makers
July 2012
Crossword blog
Top 10 crosswords in fiction, no 4: Oliver's Travels
Next in our countdown of crosswords in film, TV, books and song: a BBC drama starring Alan Bates and Sinead Cusack
April 2012
The Northerner
Newcastle revives Alan Plater's 'Close the Coalhouse Door'
Coalhouse Door memories and funding for the arts outside London
March 2012
Still a rich seam: reviving Close the Coalhouse Door
It had songs, jokes and politics – and was a hit with intellectuals and miners. Playwright Lee Hall on the thrill of bringing Close the Coalhouse Door to 21st-century audiences
October 2011
Good – review
A well-meaning revival of CP Taylor's Holocaust drama fails to convince Clare Brennan
June 2010
Letters: Alan Plater obituary
Appreciations: Alan Plater obituary
Mark Lawson on Alan Plater: 'Bright, socialist and proudly northern'
Mark Lawson
Alan Plater obituary
November 2009
Kevin Whately and Robson Green to star in Alan Plater drama for ITV
Second world war script by veteran award-winner draws on 'research, family folklore and good old-fashioned invention'. By Jason Deans
June 2007
The Al Capone of Orkney
Why Alan Plater and Peter Maxwell Davies are bringing a riotous Scottish speakeasy and its boozy owner back to life. By Alfred Hickling.
January 2007
Jamie T
Pop, folk and jazz CDs: Jamie T | Field Music | Mira Calix | The Shins | Brett Dennen | Alan Barnes & Alan Plater
July 2006
Yes, but ... Alan Plater answers back
Oh, what a lovely war
Alan Plater
May 2006
Law and disorder
He gave us cops who got it wrong in Z Cars, and turned TV drama on its head. Alan Plater salutes John Hopkins.
March 2006
Bill Hays
Obituary: The stage and television director, Bill Hays was one of the brightest, most versatile and certainly most cavalier of the generation to emerge in the 1960s and 70s. By Alan Plater.
