Shelagh Delaney’s play A Taste of Honey had a huge impact on me in my early years in New York. I saw the revival – with Amanda Plummer – and everything about its gritty, bald, fearless depiction of life turned out to be what I’m attracted to in theatre, film, music, writing, what I’m still attracted to, and probably what I’ll always be attracted to.

Delaney grew up working class in Salford, about which she says, “I think it’s a fabulous place, and the language is alive. It’s virile. It lives and it breathes and you know exactly where it’s coming from, right out of the earth.” And further, “The North Country people usually are not shown as they are. For in actual fact they are very alive and cynical. I write as people talk.”

It’s a shame that more people don’t sit down and read plays. Most are under 2 hours watching time, which means they are a fairly quick read. But in 2 hours time you get some of the most fabulous stories imaginable.

Just a few of my favorites, because the list is way too long…and because I could go crazy with this (and I just might!)…

Tennessee William’s A Streetcar Named Desire

Sam Shepherd’s Fool for Love

Tracy Letts’ August Osage County

Martin McDonagh’s The Pillow Man

Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem

I cannot imagine my life without live theatre and without the talent of people who can write plays…

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/25/arts/shelagh-delaney-playwright-dies-at-72.html?src=recg