Reviving The Ruling Class, Peter Barnes's 'drama of extremes'
Playwrights of the past are easily forgotten, but thanks to his unique, black-comedy skewering of historical figures, Barnes has found a new champion in James McAvoyWith several generations of living playwrights competing for a small number of slots in theatres, the life of a dramatist is tough. And it's even harder after death: writers who were big names in the past " Christopher Fry, David Mercer, John Whiting " ar…