Christopher Fry

Date of Birth: December 18, 1907

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: June 30, 2005

Biography

Christopher Fry was a renowned English playwright, born on December 18, 1907, in Bristol, England. He is best known for his verse dramas, which played a significant role in the revival of poetic drama in the mid-20th century. Fry’s works are characterized by their wit, poetic language, and exploration of philosophical and theological themes. Fry began his career as a schoolteacher before dedicating himself to writing. His breakthrough came with the play “The Lady’s Not for Burning” in 1948, which received widespread acclaim and established him as a leading figure in English theatre. Other notable works include “Venus Observed,” “The Dark is Light Enough,” and “A Sleep of Prisoners.” Throughout his career, Fry collaborated with other prominent figures in the arts, including T.S. Eliot and Laurence Olivier. His plays were known for their intellectual depth, humor, and lyrical beauty. Fry’s contributions to theatre earned him numerous accolades and a lasting legacy in the world of drama. Christopher Fry passed away on June 30, 2005, in Chichester, England, leaving behind a rich body of work that continues to be celebrated and studied.

5 Interesting Facts about Christopher Fry

1. Christopher Fry was originally named Christopher Harris; he adopted the surname Fry after his mother’s maiden name.

2. “The Lady’s Not for Burning” is one of his most famous plays and was pivotal in reviving interest in verse drama in the post-war era.

3. Fry served as a conscientious objector during World War II, working on the land instead of joining the military.

4. He collaborated with Jean Anouilh on the English adaptation of Anouilh’s play “Ring Round the Moon.”

5. Fry’s play “A Phoenix Too Frequent” was adapted into an opera by composer Richard Rodney Bennett.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Christopher Fry

1. “Comedy is an escape, not from truth but from despair; a narrow escape into faith.”

2. “Poetry is the language in which man explores his own amazement.”

3. “The moon is nothing but a circumambulating aphrodisiac divinely subsidized to provoke the world into a rising birth-rate.”

4. “Life is a horizontal fall.”

5. “Imagination is the wide-open eye which leads us always to see truth more vividly.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Christopher Fry during his lifetime is not well-documented, but he was recognized as one of the most successful playwrights of his time, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s.