News Release — February 15, 2002

Playwright Arnold Wesker Returns to the Ransom Center

The Ransom Center, in collaboration with The University of Texas School of Law, is honored to welcome the return of British dramatist Arnold Wesker. Mr. Wesker has been outspoken on the subject of authors' rights and will be taking part in a week-long symposium at the School of Law titled "From Text to Performance: Law and Other Performing Arts." The playwright, whose archives were acquired by the Ransom Center in 1999, will present a public reading of his work in the fourth floor auditorium of the Ransom Center on March 5 at 3:00 p.m.

One of the leading figures in twentieth century drama, Wesker is the author of thirty-six plays including Roots and Chicken Soup with Barley, as well as four volumes of short stories, two volumes of essays, a children's book, extensive journalism, and poetry. Born in the East End of London in 1932 to a Russian father and Hungarian mother, Wesker explores an important and often neglected aspect of British life in his writing—the Jewish working-class experience.