Kenneth Tynan (1927-80)
KENNETH PEACOCK TYNAN , who died two years ago, was stage-struck all his life and loved to shock. He was the illegitimate son of a six-times mayor of Warrington, and in the immediate post-war years at Oxford, he was a huge celebrity - a pleasure-seeking dandy, actor, director and the biggest attraction in Union debates. His ten years at The Observer established him as the wittiest and most influential drama critic in post-war Britain. He continued to exert his influence at the National Theatre when Sir Laurence Olivier invited him to join as Literary Manager.
Perhaps best known for devising the nude erotic revue Oh! Calcutta!, he had always fought against censorship and was at the centre of the controversy over Hochhuth's Soldiers which he produced.
Anthony Howard presents this re-assessment. Among the contributors are Tynan's two wives
Elaine Dundy and Kathleen Tynan Sir Ralph Richardson
John Osborne , Tom Stoppard Jonathan Miller
Sir Harold Hobson , Gore Vidal Jules Feiffer , Paul Johnson and Tony Richardson Readings by BENJAMIN WHITROW
Film editor john nasii
Producer PHILIP SPEIGIIT