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Born in Cape Town, Union of South Africa, in 1934, Ronald Harwood relocated to London in 1951 to pursue a theatre career. After studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, he joined Sir Donald Wolfit's Shakespeare Company, one of Great Britain's last 'actor-managers.' From 1953 to 1958, Harwood served as Sir Donald’s personal dresser, an experience that later inspired his play 'The Dresser' and his biography 'Sir Donald Wolfit CBE: His Life and Work in the Unfashionable Theatre.'
In 1960, Harwood began a new path as a writer, becoming prolific in plays, novels, and non-fiction. He frequently worked as a screenwriter, primarily adapting existing material, including his own works, rather than creating original screenplays.
A recurring theme in Harwood's work is his deep fascination with the theatre and its practitioners, evident in 'The Dresser,' his plays 'After the Lions' (about Sarah Bernhardt), 'Another Time' (about a gifted pianist), 'Quartet' (about aging opera singers), and his non-fiction book 'All the World's a Stage,' a broad history of theatre. He also showed a strong interest in the WWII era, reflected in films such as 'Operation Daybreak,' 'The Statement,' 'The Pianist,' and his play-turned-film 'Taking Sides.' The latter two, based on true stories, again focus on musicians as central characters.
Harwood was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1974 and appointed Commander of the British Empire in 1999. He served as president of the International PEN Club from 1993 to 1997, having led the British section for the four years prior.
