Mamet, David

Mamet, David (1947– ), American dramatist, born in Chicago, where many of his plays were first staged. He was a co-founder of the St Nicholas Theatre Company, for which he was also playwright in residence and, 1973–6, Artistic Director; among his early plays were the one-act Duck Variations and Sexual Perversity in Chicago (1974; NY, 1975). In 1978 he became Associate Artistic Director and playwright in residence at the Goodman. He made his Broadway début in 1977 with his comedy American Buffalo, about the abortive plans of two minor crooks to steal a coin collection (National Theatre, 1978). In A Life in the Theatre (NY, 1977; London, 1989), two actors of different generations have various backstage encounters during a repertory season, parts of plays in which they are currently appearing being seen. The Water Engine (1977; London, 1989) portrays the hostility of business interests to the invention of a water-driven engine; and Edmond (NY, 1982; London, 1985) the self-sought debasement of a middle-class man in after-dark New York. Glengarry Glen Ross (NT, 1983; NY, 1984) casts a beady eye on real estate wheeler-dealers, and Speed-the-Plow (NY, 1988; NT, 1989) on Hollywood producers. He also continued to write one-acters such as Prairie du Chien and The Shawl, shown in a double bill (NY, 1985; London, 1986). Mamet is a major playwright whose success is based on his colloquially American yet lyrical use of language.