Opera Scotland

Arthur Wing Pinero Suggest updates

Sir Arthur Wing Pinero.

Born 1855.

Died 1934.

Englsh dramatist.

Arthur Wing Pinero was one of the most successful dramatists of his era. He began work in his father's legal practice, before working as an actor, touring the country with Sir Henry Irving, among others. His first play, Two Hundred a Year (1877) was quite successful, as was The Squire (1881), They were  completely outclassed by his hugely successful farce The Magistrate (1885). This was followed by further successes such as The Schoolmistress (1887), Sweet Lavender (1888) and Dandy Dick. He also wrote serious dramas on social issues, including The Profligate (1889), Lady Bountiful (1891), The Second Mrs Tanqueray (1893) and The Notorious Mrs Ebbsmith (1895). In a different vein, Trelawny of the 'Wells' (1898) is an attractively nostalgic comedy derived from memories of his youthful acting career.