Tony Peake
Encyclopedia
Tony Peake is a novelist, short story writer and biographer.
Tony Peake was born in Johannesburg
, South Africa
in 1951 to English parents. His father, Bladon Peake (1902–1972), was a theatre and film director. Peake was educated at Waterkloof House Preparatory School
in Pretoria
, St. Martin's School
in Johannesburg
and at Rhodes University
in Grahamstown
, where he read History and English, graduating with a BA (Hons) in English.
Peake moved to London
in 1973. He worked as production manager at the Open Space Theatre
under Charles Marowitz
and Thelma Holt
. In the late seventies he lived for a while on Ibiza
and taught English, History and Drama at the Morna Valley School. Since then he has lived in London
and Mistley
and worked in modelling, acting, film distribution and latterly as a literary agent.
As a short story writer and essayist, Peake has contributed to four volumes of Winter’s Tales (edited by Robin Baird-Smith, Constable), The Penguin Book of Contemporary South African Short Stories (edited by Stephen Gray), The Mammoth Book of Gay Short Stories (edited by Peter Burton, Robinson Publishing), New Writing 13 (edited by Toby Litt
and Ali Smith
, Picador), The Way We Are Now: gay and lesbian lives in the 21st century (a Stonewall (UK)
anthology edited by Ben Summerskill
, Continuum), Seduction (Serpent's Tail), a themed anthology which he also edited, and Yes, I Am! Writing by South African Gay Men (compiled by Robin Malan & Ashraf Johaardien, Junkets Publisher, Cape Town).
Peake is also the author of two novels, A Summer Tide (Abacus, 1993) and Son to the Father (Little, Brown 1995; Abacus 1996), and the authorised biography of Derek Jarman
(Little, Brown 1999; Abacus 2000; Overlook Press 2000; reissued in the States by the University of Minnesota Press
2011).
Girl Dancing Winter's Tales 8, edited by Robin Baird-Smith, Constable, London, 1992, ISBN 0-09-471600-5
Necessary Appendages The Penguin Book of Contemporary South African Short Stories, edited by Steven Gray, Penguin, London, 1993, ISBN 0-14023-726-7
A Son's Story Winter's Tales 9, edited by Robin Baird-Smith, Constable, London, 1993, ISBN 0-09-472810-0
The Good Butler Seduction, edited by Tony Peake, Serpent's Tail, London, 1994, ISBN 1-85242-314-5
Crossing the Line Winter's Tales 10, edited by Robin Baird-Smith, Constable, London, 1994, ISBN 0-09-473830-0
A Son's Story The Mammoth Book of Gay Short Stories, edited by Peter Burton, Robinson Publishing, London, 1997, ISBN 1-85487-518-3
By the Pool The Gay Times Book of Short Stories: New Century New Writing, edited by P-P Hartnett, Gay Times Books, Millivres Ltd., London, 2000, ISBN 1-902852-19-2
A Portrait New Writing 13, edited by Toby Litt & Ali Smith, Picador, London, 2005, ISBN 0-330-48599-7
Fairy Tale An essay in The Way We Are Now: gay and lesbian lives in the 21st century, edited by Ben Summerskill, Continuum, London, 2006, ISBN 0-8264-8785-8
History Lesson Untitled Books, September 2008 www.untitledbooks.com
Lucky for Some Sunday Express, 17 January 2010 www.express.co.uk
History Lesson Yes, I Am! Writing by South African Gay Men, compiled by Robin Malan & Ashraf Johaardien, Junkets Publisher, Cape Town, 2010, ISBN 978-0-520-45828-3
Tony Peake was born in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in 1951 to English parents. His father, Bladon Peake (1902–1972), was a theatre and film director. Peake was educated at Waterkloof House Preparatory School
Waterkloof House Preparatory School
Waterkloof House Preparatory School is an English speaking public school based in Pretoria, South Africa. Former pupils include Eddie Barlow, South African international cricket star, and Tony Peake. The school is generally known as WHPS, and its motto is "work hard play straight"....
in Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
, St. Martin's School
St. Martin's School
St. Martin's School is a private, co-educational school located in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.-History:St Martin’s School traces its origins back to the foundation of St. Agnes School for the training of domestic helpers in 1908...
in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
and at Rhodes University
Rhodes University
Rhodes University is a public research university located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, established in 1904. It is the province’s oldest university, and is one of the four universities in the province...
in Grahamstown
Grahamstown
Grahamstown is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa and is the seat of the Makana municipality. The population of greater Grahamstown, as of 2003, was 124,758. The population of the surrounding areas, including the actual city was 41,799 of which 77.4% were black,...
, where he read History and English, graduating with a BA (Hons) in English.
Peake moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1973. He worked as production manager at the Open Space Theatre
Open Space Theatre
The Open Space Theatre was created by Charles Marowitz and Thelma Holt in 1968.It began in a basement on Tottenham Court Road in London, then transferred to an art deco post office on the Euston Road in 1976. Thelma attracted a team of volunteer architects and workers to build the theatre...
under Charles Marowitz
Charles Marowitz
Charles Marowitz is an American critic, theatre director, and playwright who has been a regular columnist on Swans Commentary—a cultural-political bi-weekly—since 2004...
and Thelma Holt
Thelma Holt
Thelma Holt, is a British theatre producer and former actress.After a successful career as an actress, in partnership with Charles Marowitz, Thelma founded the Open Space Theatre in Tottenham Court Road, London, which became the forerunner of the London fringe. In 1977, joined The Round House in...
. In the late seventies he lived for a while on Ibiza
Ibiza
Ibiza or Eivissa is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea 79 km off the coast of the city of Valencia in Spain. It is the third largest of the Balearic Islands, an autonomous community of Spain. With Formentera, it is one of the two Pine Islands or Pityuses. Its largest cities are Ibiza...
and taught English, History and Drama at the Morna Valley School. Since then he has lived in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and Mistley
Mistley
Mistley is a large village and civil parish in the Tendring district of northeast Essex. It is around 11 miles northeast of Colchester and is east of, and almost contiguous with, Manningtree. The parish consists of Mistley and New Mistley, both lying beside the Stour Estuary, and Mistley Heath a...
and worked in modelling, acting, film distribution and latterly as a literary agent.
As a short story writer and essayist, Peake has contributed to four volumes of Winter’s Tales (edited by Robin Baird-Smith, Constable), The Penguin Book of Contemporary South African Short Stories (edited by Stephen Gray), The Mammoth Book of Gay Short Stories (edited by Peter Burton, Robinson Publishing), New Writing 13 (edited by Toby Litt
Toby Litt
Toby Litt is an English writer, born in Bedford in 1968. He studied at Bedford Modern School, read English at Worcester College, Oxford and studied Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia where he was taught by Malcolm Bradbury....
and Ali Smith
Ali Smith
Ali Smith is a British writer.She was born to working-class parents, raised in a council house in Inverness and now lives in Cambridge. She studied at the University of Aberdeen and then at Newnham College, Cambridge, for a PhD that was never finished. She worked as a lecturer at University of...
, Picador), The Way We Are Now: gay and lesbian lives in the 21st century (a Stonewall (UK)
Stonewall (UK)
Stonewall is a lesbian, gay and bisexual rights charity in the United Kingdom named after the Stonewall Inn of Stonewall riots fame. Now the largest gay equality organization not only in the UK but in Europe, it was formed in 1989 by political activists and others lobbying against section 28 of the...
anthology edited by Ben Summerskill
Ben Summerskill
Ben Jeffrey Peter Summerskill OBE is a British businessman and journalist, who is the Chief Executive of the UK-based Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual equality organisation Stonewall, now the largest gay equality body in Europe...
, Continuum), Seduction (Serpent's Tail), a themed anthology which he also edited, and Yes, I Am! Writing by South African Gay Men (compiled by Robin Malan & Ashraf Johaardien, Junkets Publisher, Cape Town).
Peake is also the author of two novels, A Summer Tide (Abacus, 1993) and Son to the Father (Little, Brown 1995; Abacus 1996), and the authorised biography of Derek Jarman
Derek Jarman
Michael Derek Elworthy Jarman was an English film director, stage designer, diarist, artist, gardener and author.-Life:...
(Little, Brown 1999; Abacus 2000; Overlook Press 2000; reissued in the States by the University of Minnesota Press
University of Minnesota Press
The University of Minnesota Press is a university press that is part of the University of Minnesota.Founded in 1925, the University of Minnesota Press is best known for its books in social and cultural thought, critical theory, race and ethnic studies, urbanism, feminist criticism, and media...
2011).
Short stories
Necessary Appendages Winter's Tales 7, edited by Robin Baird-Smith, Constable, London, 1991, ISBN 0-09-470810-XGirl Dancing Winter's Tales 8, edited by Robin Baird-Smith, Constable, London, 1992, ISBN 0-09-471600-5
Necessary Appendages The Penguin Book of Contemporary South African Short Stories, edited by Steven Gray, Penguin, London, 1993, ISBN 0-14023-726-7
A Son's Story Winter's Tales 9, edited by Robin Baird-Smith, Constable, London, 1993, ISBN 0-09-472810-0
The Good Butler Seduction, edited by Tony Peake, Serpent's Tail, London, 1994, ISBN 1-85242-314-5
Crossing the Line Winter's Tales 10, edited by Robin Baird-Smith, Constable, London, 1994, ISBN 0-09-473830-0
A Son's Story The Mammoth Book of Gay Short Stories, edited by Peter Burton, Robinson Publishing, London, 1997, ISBN 1-85487-518-3
By the Pool The Gay Times Book of Short Stories: New Century New Writing, edited by P-P Hartnett, Gay Times Books, Millivres Ltd., London, 2000, ISBN 1-902852-19-2
A Portrait New Writing 13, edited by Toby Litt & Ali Smith, Picador, London, 2005, ISBN 0-330-48599-7
Fairy Tale An essay in The Way We Are Now: gay and lesbian lives in the 21st century, edited by Ben Summerskill, Continuum, London, 2006, ISBN 0-8264-8785-8
History Lesson Untitled Books, September 2008 www.untitledbooks.com
Lucky for Some Sunday Express, 17 January 2010 www.express.co.uk
History Lesson Yes, I Am! Writing by South African Gay Men, compiled by Robin Malan & Ashraf Johaardien, Junkets Publisher, Cape Town, 2010, ISBN 978-0-520-45828-3