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Ray Cooney
Ray Cooney
Ray Cooney
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Raymond George Alfred Cooney OBE (born 30 May 1932) is a retired English playwright, actor, and director.

Key Information

His biggest success, Run for Your Wife (1983), ran for nine years in London's West End and is its longest-running comedy.[2] He has had 17 of his plays performed there.[3]

Career

[edit]

Cooney began to act in 1946, appearing in many of the Whitehall farces of Brian Rix throughout the 1950s and 1960s. It was during this time that he co-wrote his first play, One For The Pot. With Tony Hilton, he co-wrote the screenplay for the British comedy film What a Carve Up! (1961), which features Sid James and Kenneth Connor.[4]

In 1968 and 1969, Cooney adapted Richard Gordon's Doctor novels for BBC radio, as series starring Richard Briers.[5] He also took parts in them.[6]

Cooney has also appeared on TV, (including an uncredited appearance in the Dial 999 episode, 'A Mined Area', as a hold-up victim) and in several films, including a film adaptation of his successful theatrical farce Not Now, Darling (1973), which he co-wrote with John Chapman.[7] In 2000, he appeared in the Last of the Summer Wine episode "Last Post and Pigeon" where he played the role of a wordless and energetic French peasant.[8]

In 1983, Cooney created the Theatre of Comedy Company and became its artistic director. During his tenure the company produced over twenty plays such as Pygmalion (starring Peter O'Toole and John Thaw), Loot and Run For Your Wife. He co-wrote a farce with his son Michael, Tom, Dick and Harry (1993). Cooney produced and directed the film Run For Your Wife (2012), based on his own play.[9] The film however was not a success: it was savaged by critics and has been referred to as one of the worst films of all time.[10]

Cooney's farces combine a traditional British bawdiness with structural complication, as characters leap to assumptions, are forced to pretend to be things that they are not, and often talk at cross-purposes. He is greatly admired in France where he is known as "Le Feydeau Anglais" ("The English Feydeau") in reference to the French farceur Georges Feydeau. Many of his plays have been first produced, or revived, at the Théâtre de la Michodière in Paris.

In January 1975, Cooney was the subject of This Is Your Life when he was surprised by Eamonn Andrews at London's Savoy Hotel. In the 2005 New Year Honours, Cooney was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of his services to drama.[11][12]

Personal life

[edit]

Cooney married Linda Dixon in 1962.[citation needed] One of their two sons, Michael, is a screenwriter.[13]

Bibliography

[edit]

Filmography

[edit]

Screenwriter

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ray Cooney

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Ray Cooney OBE (born 30 May 1932) is an English , , and director renowned for his , with his works performed in over 40 languages and more than 100 million tickets sold worldwide. Best known as the "Master of Farce" and a successor to Ben Travers, Cooney began his career as a in 1946 and later became a leading figure in through collaborations and original plays like Run for Your Wife (1983), which ran for nine years in the West End. Cooney's early acting roles included appearances in Whitehall farces with Brian Rix's company from the 1950s, transitioning to writing with co-authored works such as One for the Pot (1961, with Tony Hilton), Not Now Darling (1968, with John Chapman), and Move Over Mrs. Markham (1971, with Chapman). His solo successes include Chase Me Comrade (1964), There Goes the Bride (1974), Out of Order (1990, winner of the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy), It Runs in the Family (1992), Funny Money (1995), and Caught in the Net (2001). In 1977, he co-wrote the musical Elvis, which earned the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical. Beyond writing, Cooney founded the Theatre of Comedy Company in 1983, serving as its artistic director for eight years, and purchased the Playhouse Theatre in 1992 to support comedy productions. He received the OBE in 2005 for services to drama and has directed and produced numerous stage and film adaptations of his works, including Not Now, Darling (1973) and There Goes the Bride (1980). As of 2025, his plays continue to be widely performed worldwide.

Early life

Birth and family background

Raymond George Alfred Cooney was born on 30 May 1932 in , , to working-class parents Gerald Cooney, a carpenter, and Olive Cooney (née Clarke), a store cashier. Despite their modest circumstances, Cooney's parents scrimped and saved to send him to a good , reflecting their commitment to his amid London's economic challenges. Details on siblings remain limited in public records, with no specific information widely available. This family background, rooted in everyday life, provided a supportive environment that encouraged Cooney's emerging interest in entertainment, as his parents ultimately permitted him to leave at age 14 to pursue theatrical opportunities. Cooney's early exposure to the world of performance came through the influence of his family's willingness to back his ambitions and the accessible local theatre scene in during the 1940s, fostering his passion for from a young age.

Entry into theatre

Cooney made his professional stage debut at the age of 14, appearing as a boy actor in the musical Song of Norway at 's Theatre in 1946. Following his debut, Cooney served an apprenticeship in various repertory companies, taking on juvenile roles in productions during the late 1940s. This period provided him with formative experience in regional , honing his skills through a busy schedule of performances between 1946 and 1950. In 1950, Cooney interrupted his burgeoning career to complete compulsory in the , serving until 1952. Upon discharge, he resumed acting, securing roles in weekly and touring productions across the .

Career

Acting beginnings

Cooney's acting career gained momentum after his military service, when he joined the Company at London's Theatre in 1956, immersing himself in the tradition of British . This marked his entry into the renowned Whitehall farces, a series of long-running comic plays that defined post-war British theatre comedy under Rix's management. Among his early roles in the company, Cooney appeared in John Chapman's (1954), a hit about bumbling house painters involved in a betting , which helped solidify the Whitehall's reputation for humor. He also took on the role of Corporal Flight in Simple Spymen (1958) by John Chapman, portraying a hapless soldier in a chaotic plot that ran for over 1,400 performances. These performances showcased his timing and skills in supporting parts typical of the genre's ensemble dynamics. Over the late and , Cooney featured in numerous productions with the Rix company, contributing to their status as staples of theatre and building his reputation as a reliable performer. By the early , he transitioned from juvenile and supporting roles to leading comedic characters, demonstrating his versatility within the fast-paced, misunderstanding-driven world of . This hands-on experience in the genre's mechanics later influenced his approach to writing comedic scenarios.

Writing and directing milestones

Cooney's transition to playwriting began in the early 1960s, marking a pivotal shift from acting to creating comedic farces. His first play, One for the Pot, co-written with Tony Hilton, premiered on August 2, 1961, at the Whitehall Theatre in London, where it enjoyed a remarkable run of over four years, establishing his reputation for intricate plotting and physical comedy. Building on this success, Cooney collaborated with John Chapman on several works, including Not Now Darling, which first opened at the Richmond Theatre on September 18, 1967, before transferring to the West End in 1968 and running for 1,534 performances, further solidifying his style of marital mishaps and escalating absurdities. Cooney achieved his breakthrough as a solo playwright with Run for Your Wife in 1982, which premiered at the Theatre before moving to the West End's , where it ran for nine years and over 3,000 performances, becoming one of the longest-running comedies in British theatre history. Parallel to his writing, Cooney's directing career emerged through helming his own productions, with key stagings including the New York transfer of Run for Your Wife in 1987, where he also performed. His directorial milestone came with Out of Order in 1990, which he wrote and directed at the from 28 September 1990 to 16 March 1991, earning the Award for Best Comedy in 1991. Cooney has written or co-written numerous farces, many of which have been translated into multiple languages and performed worldwide, contributing to his enduring influence in comedy theatre.

Theatre management and production

In the 1970s and early 1980s, Ray Cooney built a reputation as a key producer in London's West End, overseeing multiple hit productions that contributed to the commercial vibrancy of the scene during that period. Notable among these were Lloyd George Knew My Father, Whose Life Is It Anyway?, , Elvis, and , which highlighted his entrepreneurial approach to selecting and staging commercially appealing works. In 1983, Cooney founded the Theatre of Comedy Company, assembling a founding group of thirty prominent West End stars to focus on comedic theatre. As its first artistic director, he led the company for eight years, producing over twenty plays at venues including the and Ambassadors Theatres, thereby expanding opportunities for and light comedy on stage. Cooney's production activities extended into theatre ownership when, in 1992, he purchased the in for just over £2 million from author . This acquisition allowed him greater control over programming, enabling him to stage original works and revivals tailored to his vision for comedic theatre. His continued engagement with the theatre world is evident in recent honors, such as the 2021 naming of the Ray Cooney Auditorium at , which recognized his longstanding support for the venue through performances of his plays over nearly four decades.

Notable works

Stage plays

Ray Cooney is renowned for his farces, which typically feature intricate plots involving mistaken identities, marital deceptions, and rapid-fire comedic misunderstandings, often set in domestic or professional environments that spiral into chaos. His signature works exemplify this style, blending elements with witty dialogue to create high-energy entertainment that has sustained long runs in theaters. These plays emphasize timing and , drawing on British theatrical traditions while appealing to international audiences through universal themes of and . One of Cooney's most enduring farces, Run for Your Wife, premiered in 1983 at the in and achieved remarkable longevity, running for over 3,000 performances in the West End until 1991. The plot revolves around a who juggles two wives and two households until a mishap exposes his double life, leading to a frenzy of lies and disguises. This success established Cooney as a leading farceur, with the play's structure of overlapping entrances, exits, and escalating complications becoming a hallmark of his oeuvre. Similarly, Two into One, which premiered in 1984 at the , follows a minister's attempt to orchestrate a romantic liaison for the , only for events to unravel in a hotel suite filled with hidden doors and concealed lovers; it enjoyed a successful run of over 400 performances, cementing its place as a companion piece to Run for Your Wife. Funny Money, premiering in 1995 at the , centers on an accountant who discovers a briefcase of counterfeit cash and embarks on a scheme to escape his mundane life, resulting in a two-year West End engagement that highlighted Cooney's knack for financial farces with moral twists. Cooney's oeuvre also includes adaptations and co-writings drawn from popular sources, such as his involvement in the 1966 stage production of Doctor at Sea, adapted from Richard Gordon's novel series about the misadventures of a young doctor aboard a ; Cooney starred in and produced this comedic take on medical mishaps at sea, which ran at the Prince of Theatre. His works have demonstrated substantial global reach, with plays translated into more than 40 languages, including Chinese, Japanese, and Russian, and performed in numerous countries. Collectively, Cooney's comedies have sold over 100 million tickets worldwide, underscoring their enduring popularity and adaptability across cultures. Some, like Run for Your Wife, have inspired brief film adaptations that capture the essence of the stage originals.

Film and television adaptations

Ray Cooney's transition to screen media began in the early 1960s with his co-writing of the comedy-horror film What a Carve Up! (also known as No Place Like Homicide!, 1961), adapted from Frank King's novel The Ghoul and co-scripted with Tony Hilton. The film, directed by Pat Jackson and starring and , features a group of relatives gathered in a creepy mansion for a will reading amid a series of murders, blending spoof elements with old dark house tropes. In the 1970s, Cooney expanded his film involvement through adaptations of his own stage farces. He co-wrote and co-directed Not Now, Darling (1973) with David Croft, based on his 1967 play co-authored with John Chapman; the film stars Leslie Phillips as a furrier entangled in marital mix-ups involving a mink coat, and Cooney appeared in the role of Arnold Crouch, which he originated on stage. Similarly, Cooney wrote and co-directed Not Now, Comrade (1976) with Harold Snoad, adapting his 1964 play Chase Me, Comrade; it follows a Soviet ballet dancer's defection to the West, leading to chaotic cover-ups, with Leslie Phillips and Windsor Davies in lead roles. Cooney's most prominent directorial effort in film came with Run for Your Wife (2012), which he co-directed with John Luton, produced, and adapted from his 1983 stage play; the comedy centers on a bigamist (Danny Dyer) juggling two wives amid escalating misunderstandings, featuring a cast including and . The film received poor critical reception, often criticized for outdated humor and execution despite its ensemble of veterans. On television, Cooney made guest appearances, notably as the French proprietor in the Last of the Summer Wine episode "Last Post and Pigeon" (2000), where he interacts with the main characters during their travels in . Additionally, in 1968 and 1969, Cooney adapted Richard Gordon's Doctor novels for series such as Doctor in the House and Doctor at Large, starring , and took acting roles in the productions, including multiple characters across episodes.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Ray Cooney married actress Linda Dixon in 1962. The couple has two sons: Michael Cooney, a and director who co-wrote the Tom, Dick and Harry with his father in 1993, and Danni Cooney, who has managed aspects of Ray Cooney Plays since 1982. As of the early 2020s, Cooney and Dixon have five grandchildren.

Later years and interests

Following the award of the Officer of the (OBE) in the 2005 for his services to drama, Ray Cooney resided in , where he and his wife had owned their home since relocating to the area. He collected the honour from the Prince of Wales at later that year. In his later years, Cooney has pursued personal interests to stay active, including , playing , and , while also enjoying the company of cats and strays in his garden near . Earlier in his career, he was surprised on the British television programme This Is Your Life in January 1975, hosted by at London's , where tributes highlighted his burgeoning success as a and with seven West End shows running simultaneously. Cooney has made limited public appearances since 2012, focusing on occasional directorial and roles during annual international trips, such as directing and appearing in a revival of his play Run for Your Wife at from October to November 2019. His ongoing legacy endures through family involvement in and the continued staging of his works worldwide.

Awards and legacy

Honors and recognitions

In recognition of his contributions to British theatre, Ray Cooney was appointed Officer of the (OBE) in the 2005 for services to . This honor acknowledged his extensive career as a , , director, and . Cooney's play Out of Order earned him the Award for Best Comedy in 1991, highlighting his skill in crafting successful farces during its West End run at the . Within theatrical communities, Cooney is widely regarded as the "Master of " and a successor to the legacy of Ben Travers, reflecting his mastery of the through numerous productions. His comedies have also garnered informal tributes through commercial milestones, including over 100 million tickets sold worldwide.

Influence on farce and comedy theatre

Ray Cooney played a pivotal role in reviving the during the 1980s and 1990s, a period when the form had waned in popularity following earlier British traditions from writers like Ben Travers and . His plays, characterized by intricate plots, mistaken identities, and rapid-fire dialogue, reinvigorated interest in bedroom farces on both West End and Broadway stages, with works like Run for Your Wife (1983) achieving long runs and contributing to a broader resurgence of comedic . This revival helped sustain as a viable commercial amid shifting theatrical trends toward more serious . Cooney's influence extended globally, with his comedies translated into over 40 languages and performed in numerous countries, from and to and beyond, ensuring the endurance of British-style in international repertories. His appointment as an Officer of the (OBE) in 2005 recognized this widespread impact on comedy theatre. Recent productions underscore Cooney's ongoing relevance, filling gaps in contemporary coverage of his legacy. In 2025, It Runs in the Family (originally 1992) enjoyed a successful run at in Reading, , from February to April, directed by Ron Aldridge and praised for its timeless comedic chaos. Similarly, Funny Money (1995) was staged by Somerset Valley Players in Hillsborough, , from September 5 to 21, directed by Linda Viel, highlighting the play's enduring appeal in American regional theatre. Looking ahead, Out of Order (1990) saw multiple worldwide productions in 2025-2026, including at Parkland College in in October 2025 and scheduled at Theatrecraft in , (spring 2026), demonstrating continued global demand. Through the Theatre of Comedy Company, which Cooney founded in 1983 as its first , he fostered emerging talents by assembling a core of 30 West End stars and producing over 20 plays, including revivals that nurtured a new generation of comedic performers. This initiative not only preserved traditions but also influenced modern British comedians by emphasizing ensemble dynamics and the craft of , as seen in the company's emphasis on high-energy, star-driven productions.

References

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  11. https://www.concordtheatricals.com/a/1661/ray-cooney
  12. https://www.dramatists.com/dps/bios.aspx?authorbio=Ray%2BCooney%2Band%2BTony%2BHilton
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  57. https://www.parkland.edu/25-26season
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