Philip Ridley
Biography
Philip Ridley is an artist, playwright, screenwriter, and novelist.
He was born in London and studied Art at St Martin's School of Art and his art work has been exhibited throughout Europe and Japan. As a student he made several short art films, including Visiting Mr. Beak.
He wrote the acclaimed screenplay for the feature film, The Krays (1997), and wrote and directed the films The Passion of Darkly Noon and The Reflecting Skin (both included in The American Dreams, 1997) and the short film, The Universe of Dermot Finn. He also co-wrote two songs for The Passion of Darkly Noon.
He has written radio plays for the BBC and several stage plays. His plays for adults include: The Pitchfork Disney (1991); The Fastest Clock in the Universe (1992), which gained him several major awards; Ghost from a Perfect Place (1994); Vincent River (2000); and Mercury Fur (2005). His plays for children include: Karamazoo, Moonfleece, Fairytaleheart and Sparkleshark (both included in Two Plays for Young People, 1998); and Brokenville (2001).
Philip Ridley's fiction for adults comprises of three novels: Crocodilia (1988); In the Eyes of Mr. Fury (1989); and Flamingoes in Orbit (1990). His children's books concentrate on topical issues such as bullying, family breakdown and homelessness. These books include Krindlekrax (1991), which won the Smarties Prize and the WHSMith mind-Boggling Book Award and was later adapted for the stage by the author; Scribbleboy (1997); ZinderZunder (1998); Vinegar Street (2000), and Zip's Apollo (2005).
