When Winston Went to War with the Wireless

‘Wily and fascinating… the script teems with detail… glows with affection for the idea and the ideals of early radio… Alongside acute sideswipes at police violence, the restriction of the right to strike or protest, and Tory infighting, Thorne has tremendous, debunking fun with his main characters… a fascinating reminder of how history repeats itself, usually as comedy’

‘Gripping… a riveting, resonant play’

‘A fascinating segment of history… the play creates a shimmering sense of the past… Thorne triumphantly uses real history to create a compelling drama that is both amusing, touching and revealing’

‘A steel-coated document of the icy political waltz between the BBC and Winston Churchill… what is it to control truth and speak truth to power?’

‘Pacy and evocative… the stagecraft dazzles’

‘Fascinating… Jack Thorne is a one-man writing powerhouse’

‘A joyful celebration of the BBC… vividly evokes the Corporation’s giddy early days’

‘Enthralling… magical… plenty of humour… a fascinating glimpse at two men who have shaped the history of this country’

His plays for the stage include: When Winston Went to War with the Wireless (Donmar Warehouse, 2023); The Motive and the Cue (National Theatre and West End, 2023; Evening Standard Award for Best Play; Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Play); After Life, an adaptation of a film by Hirokazu Kore-eda (National Theatre, 2021); the end of history… (Royal Court, London, 2019); an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (Old Vic, London, 2017); an adaptation of Büchner’s Woyzeck (Old Vic, London, 2017); Junkyard (Headlong, Bristol Old Vic, Rose Theatre Kingston & Theatr Clwyd, 2017); Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Palace Theatre, London, 2016); The Solid Life of Sugar Water (Graeae and Theatre Royal Plymouth, 2015); Hope (Royal Court, London, 2015); adaptations of Let the Right One In (National Theatre of Scotland at Dundee Rep, the Royal Court and the Apollo Theatre, London, 2013⁄14) and Stuart: A Life Backwards (Underbelly, Edinburgh and tour, 2013); Mydidae (Soho, 2012; Trafalgar Studios, 2013); an adaptation of Friedrich Dürrenmatt’s The Physicists (Donmar Warehouse, 2012); Bunny (Underbelly, Edinburgh, 2010; Soho, 2011); 2nd May 1997 (Bush, 2009); When You Cure Me (Bush, 2005; Radio 3’s Drama on Three, 2006); Fanny and Faggot (Pleasance, Edinburgh, 2004 and 2007; Finborough, 2007; English Theatre of Bruges, 2007; Trafalgar Studios, 2007); and Stacy (Tron, 2006; Arcola, 2007; Trafalgar Studios, 2007).

His television work includes Adolescence (with Stephen Graham), His Dark Materials, Then Barbara Met Alan (with Genevieve Barr), The Eddy, Help, The Accident, Kiri, National Treasure and This is England ‘86/‘88/‘90.

His films include The Swimmers (with Sally El Hosaini), Enola Holmes, Radioactive, The Aeronauts and Wonder.

He was the recipient of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Award for Outstanding Contribution to Writing in 2022, and was elected the Guild’s President in 2025.