Nigel PlayfairSir Nigel Playfair (1874-1934) was an influential English actor-manager, director, and producer who left an indelible mark on the London stage. Educated at Harrow and University College, Oxford, he was called to the Bar but soon abandoned law for thetheatre. His most celebrated work was as the manager of the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, from 1918 to 1932, where he revived classics like The Beggar's Opera and The Way of the World with a fresh, anti-realist style that captivated audiences. A champion of innovative drama, Playfair was instrumental in bringing continental works to the British public. He directed the first English-language production of Čapek's R.U.R. in 1923, and his involvement in this translation helped introduce one of the 20th century's most important playwrights to the English-speaking world. Read More Read Less