British playwright Sir Peter Shaffer dies aged 90

Passed away: Playwright Peter Shaffer has died at the age of 90
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Jennifer Ruby6 June 2016
The Weekender

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Award-winning British playwright Sir Peter Shaffer has died at the age of 90.

The acclaimed writer, who is best known for his plays Equus and Amadeus, passed away during a visit to Ireland, his agent has confirmed.

Just three weeks after his milestone birthday, Shaffer died with his niece Cressida reportedly by his side.

His agent Rupert Lord told The Guardian: “He was simply at the end of his life but delighted to have been able to celebrate his 90th birthday with friends and then, I think, decided it was time.”

On stage: Daniel Radcliffe performs in Equus at the Gielgud Theatre in 2007 (CHRIS YOUNG/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images

Lord said that Shaffer had been happy that a revival of Amadeus was due to be staged at the National Theatre later this year.

“Peter was happiest that Amadeus was to be seen again on the stage for which it was written and had met and worked with Michael Longhurst, loved his ideas and had been very excited at the prospect of Lucian Msamati playing Salieri,” he said.

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National Theatre director Rufus Norris, paid tribute to the playwright following news of his death:

“Peter Shaffer was one of the great writers of his generation and the National Theatre was enormously lucky to have had such a fruitful and creative relationship with him,” he said.

“The plays he leaves behind are an enduring legacy.”

Shaffer received two Oscar nominations for adapting both Equus and Amadeus for the big screen.

He won the 1984 Academy Award for his screenplay of Amadeus, which also went on to win Best Picture.

Shaffer’s other notable plays include The Royal Hunt of the Sun, Black Comedy and Lettuce and Lovage.

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