Joan Littlewood author page

Joan Littlewood biography

Joan Maud Littlewood was an English theatre director and innovator. She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art but left before completing her course, then moved to Manchester in 1934 where she collaborated with Jimmie Miller (later Ewan MacColl) in his radical ensemble Theatre of Action.

In 1945, Littlewood co-founded Theatre Workshop, initially touring the UK. Her company adopted improvisation, actor collaboration and collective methods. In 1953, Theatre Workshop secured a permanent home at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East.

Her notable productions included a stage adaptation of Oh, What a Lovely War! in 1963, combining satire, popular songs and political commentary. She also directed Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey and works by Brendan Behan such as The Hostage.

Beyond theatre, Littlewood proposed the concept of the “Fun Palace” in collaboration with architect Cedric Price. The idea was a community arts space offering access to arts, science and technology.

After her partner Gerry Raffles died in 1975, Littlewood gradually withdrew from theatre direction. She relocated to France and later worked on her autobiography, Joan’s Book.

She died on 20 September 2002 in London. In 2018, the Royal Shakespeare Company staged Miss Littlewood, a musical based on her life.