Richard Anthony Bean (born 11 June 1956) is an English playwright. Early years Born in East Hull, Bean was educated at Hull Grammar School, and then studied social psychology at Loughborough University, graduating with a 2:1 BSc Hons. He then worked as an occupational psychologist, having previously worked in a bread plant for a year and a half after leaving school. Between 1989 and 1994, Bean also worked as a comedian and went on to be one of the writers and performers of the sketch show Control Group Six (BBC Radio) which was nominated for a Writers Guild Award. Theatre career In 1995 he wrote the libretto for Stephen McNeff's opera Paradise of Fools, which premiered at the Unicorn Theatre. His first full-length play, Of Rats and Men, set in a psychology lab, was staged at the Canal Cafe Theatre in 1996 and went on to the Edinburgh Festival. He adapted it for BBC Radio, starring Anton Lesser, and it was nominated for a Sony Award. Plays Of Rats and Men (1996) - premiered at the Canal Cafe Theatre Toast (1999) - premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Richard Wilson Mr England (2000) - premiered at the Crucible Theatre Sheffield, directed by Paul Miller The Mentalists (2002) - premiered at the National Theatre, directed by Sean Holmes The God Botherers (2003) - premiered at the Bush Theatre, directed by Will Kerley Smack Family Robinson (2003) - premiered at the Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, directed by Jeremy Herrin Under the Whaleback (2003) - premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Richard Wilson Honeymoon Suite (2004) - premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Paul Miller Harvest (2005) - premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, directed by Wilson Milam The Hypochondriac (2005) - a new version of Molière's play, premiered at the Almeida Theatre, directed by Lindsay Posner Up on Roof (2006) - premiered at the Hull Truck Theatre, directed by Gareth Tudor Price In the Club (2007) - premiered at the Hampstead Theatre, directed by David Grindley The English Game (2008) - premiered at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, directed by Sean Holmes Pub Quiz Is Life (2009) - premiered at the Hull Truck Theatre, directed by Gareth Tudor Price England People Very Nice (2009) - premiered at the National Theatre, directed by Nicholas Hytner House of Games (2010) - an adaptation of the film by