“Stoppard’s work thrilled him”: critic who spotted brilliance from the start

The Observer theatre critic Ronald Bryden was among the first to recognise Tom Stoppard’s brilliance and is often credited with helping launch the playwright’s career. Bryden’s early praise helped bring attention to Stoppard’s work, notably his world premiere of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead in 1966, which Bryden reviewed positively and which subsequently gained national attention and a further revival by the National Theatre. The trajectory of Stoppard’s rise—from a promising new voice to a globally recognized dramatist—was bolstered in part by Bryden’s favorable coverage and commentary during the 1960s and 1970s. Bryden’s role as a tastemaker is frequently cited in discussions of Stoppard’s early reception and his emergence as a leading figure in contemporary theatre.

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The Observer The Observer — 2025-12-07

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