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Mike Bartlett

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BIO

Mike Bartlett is a British playwright, screenwriter, and director who is known for his works that explore contemporary issues and relationships. He was born in 1980 in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, and studied English and Theatre Studies at the University of Leeds.


Bartlett began his career as a playwright in 2004 with his play "My Child," which was produced at the Bristol Old Vic. He gained critical acclaim in 2007 with his play "Contractions," which premiered at the Royal Court Theatre in London. The play, which explores the dehumanizing effects of corporate culture, was later produced off-Broadway in New York City.
In 2010, Bartlett wrote "Earthquakes in London," which premiered at the National Theatre in London. The play, which deals with climate change and the interconnectedness of people's lives, was praised for its ambitious scope and innovative staging.
Bartlett's most famous work is "King Charles III," which premiered at the Almeida Theatre in London in 2014 before transferring to the West End and then to Broadway. The play imagines a future in which Prince Charles becomes King of England and refuses to sign a controversial bill into law, leading to a constitutional crisis. "King Charles III" won the Olivier Award for Best New Play and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play.
In addition to his work as a playwright, Bartlett has also written for television. He wrote the BBC drama series "Doctor Foster," which premiered in 2015 and starred Suranne Jones as a woman who discovers that her husband is having an affair. The series was a critical and commercial success and won the BAFTA Award for Best Drama Series.
Bartlett has also written several other television dramas, including "The Town" and "Press." He has also written for the popular science fiction series "Doctor Who," contributing an episode to the show's ninth season.
In 2017, Bartlett wrote "Albion," which premiered at the Almeida Theatre in London. The play, which explores themes of nostalgia and national identity, was well-received by critics and audiences alike.
Bartlett's most recent work is the television series "Life," which premiered on BBC One in 2020. The series, which stars Alison Steadman and Peter Davison, follows the interconnected lives of a group of people living in a large house in Manchester.

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Productions

 
[West End, 2022]
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[West End, 2022]
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Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play

Mike Bartlett, King Charles III

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding New Broadway Play

Mike Bartlett, King Charles III

Tony Awards - 2016 - Best Play

Mike Bartlett, King Charles III

Evening Standard Awards - 2014 - Best Play

Mike BartlettKing Charles III

News


MAHABHARATA, A STRANGE LOOP Lead The Way in 2025 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards
by Emmy Rice - May 11, 2025

The Canadian premiere of the groundbreaking musical A Strange Loop and a bold new retelling of Mahabharata are the big winners in the 2025 Toronto Theatre Critics Awards (TTCA), each scooping up three prizes.
South Florida Premiere of THE DYING GAUL Comes To Island City Stage
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2025

A salacious love triangle, secrets and intrigue haunt the modern American tragedy The Dying Gaul by Craig Lucas making its South Florida premiere at Island City Stage.
Guest Blog: 'What These Men Thought and Did Still Matters': Co-Writer Robert Khan on New Political Play THE GANG OF THREE at King's Head Theatre
by Guest Author - Apr 29, 2025

Since the earliest times, theatre that speaks to the state of the nation has always been a cultural mainstay, and plays that speak to the practise of politics seem to have enduring popularity – from David Hare’s The Absence of War to Alistair Beaton’s Feelgood, along with the works of Mike Bartlett, Peter Morgan, Jonathan Maitland and of course James Graham.
Talk Is Free Theatre's TALES OF AN URBAN INDIAN To Have Toronto Run; THE FROGS Heads to To Shaw Festival
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 24, 2025

Talk Is Free Theatre Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak announced today that their production of Tales of an Urban Indian–which, for most of its 800+ performances across Canada and around the world, has been performed on a moving city bus–will make its upcoming Toronto engagement a stationary one.
TIFT Further Extends The Remount Of COCK In Toronto
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 2, 2025

​Talk Is Free Theatre will be further extending their remount of Cock in Toronto this April. The play, which TIFT first produced in Barrie in early 2024, enjoyed a sold-out run in Toronto in January. Learn more!
Playwrights’ Arena Honors Artists At Play, Beatrice Casagrán, John P. Flynn, And Stephen Sachs At Annual Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 10, 2025

Playwrights' Arena will honor ARTISTS AT PLAY, JOHN P. FLYNN, STEPHEN SACHS with the Lee Melville Award for outstanding contributions to the Los Angeles theater community, and BEATRICE CASAGRÁN 
Paines Plough Reveals 2025 Programming
by Stephi Wild - Feb 26, 2025

Paines Plough has announced its programming for 2025, with two new commissions set to tour the UK. This follows the company’s 50th anniversary fundraising gala at the Criterion Theatre earlier this month.
BRITS OFF BROADWAY Festival Lineup Announced At 59E59 Theaters
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 25, 2025

59E59 Theaters has announced its Brits Off Broadway season (April 22-June 29), the beloved annual festival that celebrates the best of independent British theater.
Mike Bartlett’s COCK (aka The Cockfight Play) to be Presented at The Ringwald Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 21, 2025

The Ringwald Theatre is proud to announce its production of Mike Bartlett’s seminal play Cock (aka The Cockfight Play).
Review Roundup: Mike Bartlett's UNICORN Canters Into The West End
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Feb 14, 2025

Unicorn is Mike Bartlett's explicit, funny and provocative new play, directed by James Macdonald, starring Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan and Erin Doherty. What did the critics think?
Review: UNICORN, Garrick Theatre
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Feb 14, 2025

You would think that Nicola Walker and Stephen Mangan had had enough of acting roles surrounding marital discord. In Abi Morgan's hugely popular TV series The Split, the pair have been up and down on the rollercoaster of marriage for years. Now reunited on stage, alongside Erin Doherty, for Mike Bartlett's provocative new play, Unicorn, this is a stellar cast, with an excellent writer. So why does it feel rather hollow?
Photos: Inside Paines Plough’s 50th Anniversary Gala
by Stephi Wild - Feb 11, 2025

Photos have been released from Paines Plough’s star-studded 50th Anniversary Gala which took place last night at the Criterion Theatre. Check out the photos below!
IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT Comes to New Ghosts Theatre Company Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Feb 6, 2025

In March 2025, New Ghosts Theatre Company (NGTC) will present a return season of their 2020 production of Gary Owen’s IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT at the Old Fitz Theatre.
Amir Darvish Will Direct GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS at Empire Stage
by Stephi Wild - Jan 27, 2025

Actor/Director/Producer Amir Darvish will direct David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Glengarry Glen Ross, at Empire Stage.  Learn more about the upcoming production here!
Hanna Streeter Appointed Executive Director Of Stratford East
by Stephi Wild - Jan 16, 2025

Stratford East has announced that Hanna Streeter has been appointed Executive Director and joint CEO, taking up the position from July 2025.
Lucy Pattison Appointed Executive Director of the Young Vic
by Stephi Wild - Jan 9, 2025

The Young Vic Theatre has today Lucy Pattison as its new Executive Director. Lucy, who is currently a freelance Producer and General Manager will join the organisation.
Mike Bartlett's BULL Comes to Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jan 6, 2025

Bull, coming to the SJT next month, will offer ringside seats as three employees fight to keep their jobs. This new production from Mesh Theatre Company features Rob Ostlere, Rebecca Blackstone, Rilwan Abiola Owokoniran and Tim Frances.
UNICORN By Mike Bartlett Opens At The Garrick Theatre This February
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 18, 2024

Unicorn will debut at the Garrick Theatre in the West End from 4 February for strictly limited run until 26 April 2025
Talk Is Free Theatre to Stage Three Site-Specific Productions in Toronto
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 13, 2024

Talk Is Free Theatre will stage three site-specific productions in Toronto, with two occurring simultaneously in January and another later in the spring. Learn how to attend.
Robert Bathurst Will Return in JEFFREY BERNARD IS UNWELL
by Stephi Wild - Dec 6, 2024

Robert Bathurst will once again star in the immersive production of Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell, performed in his favourite Soho haunt, the legendary Coach and Horses pub.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Mike Bartlett written?

Mike Bartlett has written 3 shows including Cock (Playwright), Chariots of Fire (Playwright), Love, Love, Love (Playwright).

What awards has Mike Bartlett been nominated for?

Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play (Drama League Awards) for King Charles III, Outstanding New Broadway Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for King Charles III, Best Play (Tony Awards) for King Charles III and Best Play (Evening Standard Awards) for King Charles III.

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