David Pinner died on 22nd December 2025, following a struggle with pancreatic cancer. R.I.P.

(Scroll down to the bottom of this page to ready tributes by AWL friends and admirers.)

David’s plays have been widely performed in Britain – at Fortune Theatre, Arts Theatre, Soho Poly, Lyric Hammersmith, Finborough Theatre, New End Theatre, Grace Theatre, Jermyn Street Theatre, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh and at Lion Theatre, New York. He had several plays broadcast on television and radio.

As an actor, he was trained at RADA, and he appeared in many plays in the theatre and on television and radio.

Penguin New English Dramatists published his plays, Dickon, Fanghorn and The Drums of Snow.

Oberon Books published his plays The Stalin Trilogy, The Vampire Trilogy, Three Power Plays, The Seasons Quartet, Oh, To Be In England and his four one-act-plays, The Joy Of Misery.

Hutchinson published his novel, Ritual, which was the original seed that grew into the towering movie, The Wickerman.

His last novel, The Wicca Woman, was published by Endeavour.

AWL Credits

Non-AWL Credits

Tributes

I was lucky enough to work with David in What I Really Think Of My Husband, his play about Emma Hardy. From day one of the typically tight rehearsal period, some of which he hosted, he and Kate could not have been more welcoming, helpful and supportive. It was a joy to be part of. I had known about Ritual of course, but not about his tremendous enthusiasm and talent for poetry which I happily started to discover then. Enthusiasm is probably the word I associate most with David. Also Passion and Generosity. He will be sadly missed, but remembering him will always make me smile.

Laura Fitzpatrick

I had the pleasure and honour of working with David both inside and outside AWL. I directed the premiere of Edred The Vampire at the Old Red Lion in 2019 and directed readings of Lady Day, Newton’s Hook and What I Really Think About My Husband for AWL. David brought an actor’s sensibility into his writing which made directing his work a real delight. David never missed a rehearsal and was always a very positive and enthusiastic presence in the room even when it came to cuts in his work! David had a presence and authority befitting ’The Godfather of Folk Horror’ but was always courteous, kind and very funny. RIP David, you are much missed and loved.

Anthony Shrubsall

I was so sad to lose my friend David Pinner. Our friendship goes back close to 70 years. We were students at RADA together. I have one vivid memory of David walking down a corridor towards me, eagerly holding out a piece of paper. He said “Carolyn, I’ve just written a poem. Shall I read it to you?” Obviously I said yes. I sadly don’t remember that poem, though over the years have enjoyed his poetry and his plays. We were lucky to share a friendship with him and his lovely wife Catherine, as we all lived in Barnes, and enjoyed many evenings together, usually with a gin & tonic.

Carolyn Pertwee

I first wrote, as a drama student, to David Pinner over 50 years ago - he didn’t reply! When I reminded him of this recently, he told me he’d been very busy at the time, and, of course, I forgave him. He’s best known for his theatre plays, but I’ve always thought his real brilliance was his poetry. His early work, published as ’Journey in Trance’, is varied, interesting, upsetting, always beautifully written, and with that special gift of making you think it’s been written just for you. However, it’s not merely his work, but his life that is, was, special. His sense of fun and mischief was constant and it was a joy to see his beaming face, at the Polish Centre, usually with Catherine smiling beside him, with David invariably shouting out some, not always accurate, chunk of his idol’s Shakespeare verse: He was a man, take him for all in all. I shall not look upon his like again.

Paul Antony-Barber

David was the kindest, gentlest genius giant of a man. I loved him.

Madeline Smith

David was a wonderful writer and a warm, witty and affectionate character. He was highly beloved by a large family he was devoted to - particularly the lovely, supportive Kate. We became friends through my involvement in his fascinating piece on the Newton Hooke rivalry, which we planned to produce this year after finding a perfect director in Orsi Nagy and a talented cast. Sadly, David became too ill for us to proceed. I will always treasure the time I did have with him and hope we can honour his memory with an evening of his poems and extracts from his many marvellous plays at AWL this spring.

Gregory Cox

I was very fortunate to meet David and Kate briefly to take notes for the eventual interview. It was a privilege to spend that time one lunchtime in Barnes and to go through his illustrious career at AWL. But an enduring memory for me will be when David, without warning, at the end of the interview stood up and thunderously delivered some lines of Shakespeare reminding us that apart from being a novelist and playwright of the first order David had graduated long ago as an actor from RADA. It was a moment I will never forget and I can only imagine how incredibly powerful he must have have been as an actor many years ago.

Peter Saracen

David - a warm, kind man with huge talent and the ability to make me laugh. RIP and condolences to Kate.

Teresa Jennings

When I learnt that the writer of the original novel that had inspired The Wicker Man, that absolute cult classic, was a member of MY actors and writers group - well, you could have knocked me down with a feather! I took great pleasure in boasting about the connection. I couldn’t believe how young David was when he wrote Ritual. But he didn’t rest on his laurels. A lifetime of curiosity and ideas produced an eclectic range of plays, novels and poetry. Added to that, he was a kind, funny, exuberant, enthusiastic, twinkly, affectionate, generous and lovable man. With a wonderful wife in Kate - their devotion was plain to see. An inspirational man.

Robin Miller

Dear David, working on your wonderful script Newton’s Hooke, seeing and experiencing your vision, talent and creativity at first hand was a wonderful privilege that I will continue to treasure. May you rest in eternal peace.

Avena Mansergh Wallace

AWL was greatly honoured to have David among its members. My fondest memory of him was the night of his celebrity interview at AWL, when his presence filled the room to overflowing, and the laughter, not least David’s own, rang out like a glorious peal of bells. Second happiest memory was the joy of constructing his AWL page. It took me several days to list all his credits! Now I am so pleased that it stands as a lasting memorial to this great man.

Paddy Gormley