Brian Cooke

Playwright

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Film, TV & Theatre

Film, TV & Theatre

Brian Cooke was born in Liverpool. He started cartooning during his National Service days and continued it on a full-time basis when he was back in civilian life, selling strips and single drawings to countless magazines and newspapers.


Brian met Johnnie Mortimer at a Cartoonists' Convention and teamed up to write for radio, notably MEN FROM THE MINISTRY and ROUND THE HORNE. They since wrote almost exclusively for television, devising and writing series including FATHER DEAR FATHER, MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE, GEORGE AND MILDRED, ROBIN'S NEST, TOM DICK AND HARRIET, LET THERE BE LOVE, FULL HOUSE, etc, and Brian wrote KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY and TRIPPER'S DAY (and its sequel, SLINGER'S DAY) on his own. Four of Brian and Johnnie's joint series have been adapted for US network television - THREE'S COMPANY, THE ROPERS, THREE'S A CROWD, and FOOT IN THE DOOR - as have Brian's two solo series - CLOSE TO HOME for LWT was based on his successful series for American television STARTING FROM SCRATCH.


Brian has most recently devised a show STOP MESSING ABOUT!  based on material he and Johnnie wrote for the late, great Kenneth Williams.  The show is currently touring the UK.



Brian and Johnnie wrote the screen plays for NO SEX PLEASE WE'RE BRITISH, MAN ABOUT THE HOUSE and FATHER DEAR FATHER.


Their first stage play WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY has enjoyed considerable success througout the world. Their second play SITUATION COMEDY, is currently enjoying similar success.


Brian has also written additional scripts for Dutch and German versions of TOM, DICK AND HARRIET, the series he originally co-wrote with Johnnie for Thames.


The estate of Jonnie Mortimer is currently represented by Gordon Dickerson who can be contacted at gordondickerson@btinternet.com

Other

ProductionCompanyNotes

SITUATION COMEDY

WHEN THE CAT'S AWAY