author
John O'Keeffe
1747–1833
An Irish dramatist and actor with a gift for lively comedy, he became one of the most popular stage writers of the late 18th century. His plays and comic operas helped entertain audiences in both Dublin and London, even after blindness changed the course of his life.
3 Audiobooks
The Castle of Andalusia: A Comic Opera, in Three Acts
by John O'Keeffe
Fontainbleau; a comic opera. In three acts
by John O'Keeffe
Wild Oats; or, The Strolling Gentlemen
by John O'Keeffe
About the author
Born in Dublin on June 24, 1747, John O'Keeffe first trained as an artist before moving into the theatre. He acted for years on the Irish stage, then built a successful writing career, creating farces, comedies, and librettos that won wide audiences.
Among his best-known works are Tony Lumpkin in Town, Love in a Camp, Omai, and Wild Oats. His writing was known for its quick humor and strong sense of theatrical fun, and he became a familiar name in British and Irish theatre.
O'Keeffe later lost his sight, but he continued to work with the help of assistants and remained a remarkable literary presence. He died in Southampton on February 4, 1833, leaving behind a large body of stage writing and a memoir that helps preserve his voice and experience.