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{{Short description|British playwright}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox writer
{{Infobox writer
|name=Pam Gems
|name=Pam Gems
|birth_name = Iris Pamela Price
|birth_date=1 August 1925
|birth_date=1 August 1925
|birth_place=[[Hampshire]], [[England]], [[United Kingdom]]
|birth_place=[[Hampshire]], [[England]], [[United Kingdom]]
Line 10: Line 12:
|genre=[[Theatre]]
|genre=[[Theatre]]
|language=English
|language=English
|relatives=[[Jonathan Gems]] (son)
|spouse = Keith Gems (m. 1949)
|children= 4 (including son [[Jonathan Gems]])
}}
}}


'''Pam Gems''' (1 August 1925 – 13 May 2011<ref>Lyn Gardner [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/may/16/pam-gems-obituary Obituary: Pam Gems], ''The Guardian'', 16 May 2011</ref>) was an [[England|English]] [[playwright]].<ref name="biography">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/95/Pam-Gems.html|title=Pam Gems profile at Film Reference.com|publisher=NetIndustries|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref> The author of numerous original plays, as well as of adaptations of works by major European playwrights of the past, Gems is best known for the 1978 [[Musical theater|musical]] [[Play (theatre)|play]] ''[[Piaf (play)|Piaf]]''.
'''Pam Gems''' ({{nee}} Iris Pamela Price; 1 August 1925 – 13 May 2011)<ref>Lyn Gardner [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/may/16/pam-gems-obituary Obituary: Pam Gems], ''The Guardian'', 16 May 2011</ref> was an [[England|English]] [[playwright]].<ref name="biography">{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/95/Pam-Gems.html|title=Pam Gems profile at Film Reference.com|publisher=NetIndustries|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref> The author of numerous original plays, as well as of adaptations of works by European playwrights of the past, Gems is best known for the 1978 [[Musical theater|musical]] [[Play (theatre)|play]] ''[[Piaf (play)|Piaf]]''.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Iris Pamela Price was born in [[Bransgore]], [[Hampshire]], and had her first play – a tale of goblins and elves – staged when she was eight by her fellow pupils at primary school.
Iris Pamela Price was born in [[Bransgore]], [[Hampshire]], and had her first play – a tale of goblins and elves – staged when she was eight by her fellow pupils at primary school.
She studied psychology at [[University of Manchester|Manchester University]] from which she graduated in 1949.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/17/arts/pam-gems-british-playwright-dies-at-85.html?ref=obituaries|title=Pam Gems, British Playwright, Dies at 85|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=17 May 2011|author=William Grimes|authorlink=William Grimes (journalist)}}</ref> She was in her forties when she started to write professionally. She is best known for her 1978 [[Musical theater|musical]] [[Play (theatre)|play]] ''Piaf'' about French singer [[Édith Piaf]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-pam-gems-and-denise-black-1254954.html|title=How We Met: Pam Gems And Denise Black - Arts & Entertainment|work=The Independent|publisher=Independent Print|location=London|date=8 June 1997|last=Lustig|first=Vera|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref>
She studied psychology at [[University of Manchester|Manchester University]] from which she graduated in 1949.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/17/arts/pam-gems-british-playwright-dies-at-85.html?ref=obituaries|title=Pam Gems, British Playwright, Dies at 85|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=17 May 2011|author=William Grimes|authorlink=William Grimes (journalist)}}</ref> She was in her forties when she started to write professionally. She is best known for her 1978 [[Musical theater|musical]] [[Play (theatre)|play]] ''Piaf'' about French singer [[Édith Piaf]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-pam-gems-and-denise-black-1254954.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-pam-gems-and-denise-black-1254954.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=How We Met: Pam Gems And Denise Black - Arts & Entertainment|work=The Independent|publisher=Independent Print|location=London|date=8 June 1997|last=Lustig|first=Vera|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref>


She was nominated for two [[Tony Award]]s: for ''[[Stanley (play)|Stanley]]'' (Best Play) in 1997, and for ''Marlene'' (Best Book of a Musical), starring [[Siân Phillips]] as [[Marlene Dietrich]], in 1999. Gems adapted works by dramatists ranging from [[Henrik Ibsen]], [[Federico García Lorca]] and [[Anton Chekhov]] to [[Marguerite Duras]]. {{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
She was nominated for two [[Tony Award]]s: for ''[[Stanley (play)|Stanley]]'' (Best Play) in 1997, and for ''[[Marlene (musical)|Marlene]]'' (Best Book of a Musical), starring [[Siân Phillips]] as [[Marlene Dietrich]], in 1999. Gems adapted works by dramatists ranging from [[Henrik Ibsen]], [[Federico García Lorca]] and [[Anton Chekhov]] to [[Marguerite Duras]]. {{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}


==Family==
==Family==
She married architect Keith Gems; the couple had four children. In 2013 she came under scrutiny when accusations arose that Keith was her direct cousin <ref> https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/may/16/pam-gems-obituary</ref>.
In 1949, she married wax model manufacturer (the family firm, Gems Wax Models, established in 1885, has supplied models to [[Madame Tussauds]]) and former architect<ref>Queer Mythologies: The Original Stageplays of Pam Gems, Dimple Godiwada, Intellect Books, 2006</ref> Keith Gems; the couple had four children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/may/16/pam-gems-obituary|title=Pam Gems obituary|date=16 May 2011}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
|1984|| ''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four (1984 film)|Nineteen Eighty-Four]]'' || The Washerwoman ||
|}


==List of works==
==List of works==
'''The Early Plays, (1972–1976)'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://unitedagents.co.uk/pam-gems|title=Pam Gems|work=United Agents|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref>
===Early plays (1972–1976)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://unitedagents.co.uk/pam-gems|title=Pam Gems|work=United Agents|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref>===


:''(work, year, place first produced)''
:''(work, year, place first produced)''
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* ''The Project'' (1976), Soho Poly, London
* ''The Project'' (1976), Soho Poly, London


'''The Middle Plays, (1977–2000)'''
===Middle plays (1977–2000)===
* ''Franz Into April'' (1977), [[Institute of Contemporary Arts|ICA]], London
* ''Franz Into April'' (1977), [[Institute of Contemporary Arts|ICA]], London
* ''Queen Christina'' (1977), Other Place, Stratford-on-Avon
* ''Queen Christina'' (1977), Other Place, Stratford-on-Avon
Line 61: Line 75:
* ''Deborah's Daughter'' (1994), Manchester
* ''Deborah's Daughter'' (1994), Manchester
* ''Ghosts'' (adaptation) (1994)
* ''Ghosts'' (adaptation) (1994)
* ''Marlene'' (1996), Oldham
* ''[[Marlene (musical)|Marlene]]'' (1996), Oldham
* ''[[Stanley (play)|Stanley]]'' (1996), London
* ''[[Stanley (play)|Stanley]]'' (1996), London
* ''At the Window'' (1997)
* ''At the Window'' (1997)
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* ''Ebba'' (1999)
* ''Ebba'' (1999)


'''The Late Plays (2000-)'''
===Late plays (2000–2009)===
* ''Girabaldi, Si!'' (2000)
* ''Girabaldi, Si!'' (2000)
* ''Linderhof'' (2001)
* ''Linderhof'' (2001)
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* ''Piaf'' (2008), Donmar Warehouse, London
* ''Piaf'' (2008), Donmar Warehouse, London
* ''Winterlove'' (2009), The Drill Hall, London<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.drillhall.co.uk/pl344.html|title=Winterlove By Pam Gems|work=The Drill Hall|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref>
* ''Winterlove'' (2009), The Drill Hall, London<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.drillhall.co.uk/pl344.html|title=Winterlove By Pam Gems|work=The Drill Hall|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref>
* ''Despatches'' (2009), The Drill Hall, London
* ''Despatches'' (2009), The Drill Hall, London<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.drillhall.co.uk/pl345.html|title=Despatches By Pam Gems|work=The Drill Hall|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.drillhall.co.uk/pl345.html|title=Despatches By Pam Gems|work=The Drill Hall|accessdate=11 July 2010}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 19:46, 18 October 2024

Pam Gems
BornIris Pamela Price
1 August 1925
Hampshire, England, United Kingdom
Died13 May 2011(2011-05-13) (aged 85)
London, England, United Kingdom
OccupationPlaywright
LanguageEnglish
GenreTheatre
SpouseKeith Gems (m. 1949)
Children4 (including son Jonathan Gems)

Pam Gems (née Iris Pamela Price; 1 August 1925 – 13 May 2011)[1] was an English playwright.[2] The author of numerous original plays, as well as of adaptations of works by European playwrights of the past, Gems is best known for the 1978 musical play Piaf.

Personal life

[edit]

Iris Pamela Price was born in Bransgore, Hampshire, and had her first play – a tale of goblins and elves – staged when she was eight by her fellow pupils at primary school. She studied psychology at Manchester University from which she graduated in 1949.[3] She was in her forties when she started to write professionally. She is best known for her 1978 musical play Piaf about French singer Édith Piaf.[4]

She was nominated for two Tony Awards: for Stanley (Best Play) in 1997, and for Marlene (Best Book of a Musical), starring Siân Phillips as Marlene Dietrich, in 1999. Gems adapted works by dramatists ranging from Henrik Ibsen, Federico García Lorca and Anton Chekhov to Marguerite Duras. [citation needed]

Family

[edit]

In 1949, she married wax model manufacturer (the family firm, Gems Wax Models, established in 1885, has supplied models to Madame Tussauds) and former architect[5] Keith Gems; the couple had four children.[6]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four The Washerwoman

List of works

[edit]

Early plays (1972–1976)[7]

[edit]
(work, year, place first produced)
  • Betty's Wonderful Christmas (1972), Cockpit Theatre, London
  • My Warren And After Birthday (1973), Almost Free Theatre, London
  • Miz Venus and Wild Bill (1973), Almost Free Theatre, London
  • After Birthday (1973)
  • The Amiable Courtship Of Miz Venus And Wild Bill (1974), Almost Free Theatre, London
  • Go West Young Woman (1974), The Roundhouse, London
  • Up In Sweden (1975), Haymarket, Leicester
  • My Name Is Rosa Luxembourg (adaptation), (1975)
  • Up In Sweden (1975)
  • Rivers and Forests (adaptation), (1976)
  • Dead Fish (aka Dusa, Fish, Stas And Vi, 1976), Edinburgh Festival
  • Guinevere (1976), Edinburgh Festival
  • The Project (1976), Soho Poly, London

Middle plays (1977–2000)

[edit]
  • Franz Into April (1977), ICA, London
  • Queen Christina (1977), Other Place, Stratford-on-Avon
  • Piaf (1978), Other Place, Stratford-on-Avon
  • Ladybird, Ladybird (1979), The King's Head, Islington, London
  • Sandra (1979), London
  • Aunt Mary (1982), Warehouse Theatre, London
  • The Treat (1982), ICA, London
  • The Cherry Orchard (adaptation) (1984)
  • Variety Night (1982), London
  • Camille (adaptation) (1984)
  • Loving Women (1984)
  • The Danton Affair (1986)
  • Pasionaria (1985), Playhouse Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne
  • Arther and Guinevere (1990), Edinburgh
  • The Seagull (adaptation) (1991)
  • The Blue Angel (1991), Other Place, Stratford-on-Avon
  • Deborah's Daughter (1994), Manchester
  • Ghosts (adaptation) (1994)
  • Marlene (1996), Oldham
  • Stanley (1996), London
  • At the Window (1997)
  • The Snow Palace (1998)
  • Ebba (1999)

Late plays (2000–2009)

[edit]
  • Girabaldi, Si! (2000)
  • Linderhof (2001)
  • Mrs Pat (2002), Theatre Royal, York
  • Yerma (adaptation) (2003), Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester
  • Not Joan the Musical (2003)
  • The Lady From The Sea (adaptation) (2003), Almeda Theatre London
  • The Little Mermaid (adaptation) (2004), Greenwich Theatre, Riverside Theatre, London
  • Nelson (2004), Nuffield Theatre, Southampton
  • Broadway Lady (2007)
  • Piaf (2008), Donmar Warehouse, London
  • Winterlove (2009), The Drill Hall, London[8]
  • Despatches (2009), The Drill Hall, London[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Lyn Gardner Obituary: Pam Gems, The Guardian, 16 May 2011
  2. ^ "Pam Gems profile at Film Reference.com". NetIndustries. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  3. ^ William Grimes (17 May 2011). "Pam Gems, British Playwright, Dies at 85". The New York Times.
  4. ^ Lustig, Vera (8 June 1997). "How We Met: Pam Gems And Denise Black - Arts & Entertainment". The Independent. London: Independent Print. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  5. ^ Queer Mythologies: The Original Stageplays of Pam Gems, Dimple Godiwada, Intellect Books, 2006
  6. ^ "Pam Gems obituary". 16 May 2011.
  7. ^ "Pam Gems". United Agents. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  8. ^ "Winterlove By Pam Gems". The Drill Hall. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
  9. ^ "Despatches By Pam Gems". The Drill Hall. Retrieved 11 July 2010.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
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