The Stage

Ron Hart

Published Tuesday 10 November 2009 at 14:55 by Jonathan Hart

Ron Hart, who died on September 14, aged 79, was best known for his comedy Lunch Girls, staged at the National Theatre and around the world.

Born in the East End of London on September 26, 1929, from an early age he displayed a natural gift for writing, but leaving school at 14, he took a job in the City. During this period he also performed at Toynbee Hall.

Although successfully established as an insurance broker, he continued to write, including the screenplay for the John Berger film A Fortunate Man, directed by Jeff Perks, and numerous fringe productions, but it wasn’t until his comedy Lunch Girls became a Verity Bargate award winner in 1982, that recognition of his talent followed.

Lunch Girls dealt with the lives of four middle-class British women, but struck a chord with audiences around the world, with productions as far afield as Los Angeles, Tokyo, Jerusalem, and Bombay, as well as at the National Theatre and a UK tour starring Sylvia Syms.

He based some of his work on personal experience of working in the City, writing City Gents and Changing Places, both staged by film director Jonathan Glazer. Other plays include The Latecomers (New End) and Men on Fire (King’s Head), currently being performed in Athens.

A witty, family man, he was an active member of the Playwrights Cooperative and latterly Player Playwrights, which gave him a number of opportunities to showcase his work.

Despite failing health, Ron continued to write, including What is is? and Boys Club, which showcased at the Soho Theatre in 2005.

He is survived by his wife Carmel and their three sons, Gideon, Daniel and myself, Jonathan.