Ben Ellis (playwright)

Ben Ellis is a playwright from Gippsland in Australia, now based in London. His significant works include Post Felicity (2001), Falling Petals (2002), a stage adaptation of Franz Kafka's The Metamorphosis (2005), and more recently Poet No. 7 (2006) and The Final Shot (Theatre503, 2007), both premiering in London. The Final Shot, about the television broadcast of a man's death, featured Susannah York. His latest play, The Captive explores the folklore surrounding the supposed capture of a white woman by aboriginal people in East Gippsland.

Ellis' short play about the death of activist Rachel Corrie, Blindingly obvious facts, was featured in the 2007 Melbourne Top 30 season of the Short and Sweet short play competition.

Awards

Ellis was awarded the inaugural Malcolm Robertson Prize and the Patrick White Playwrights' Award for Post Felicity (the latter in 2000, before the play was produced,^[1] under the title Who Are You, Mr James?). He was also the recipient of the Wal Cherry Play of the Year Award in 2002 for Falling Petals.