Whistle Down the Wind Screenwriter Keith Waterhouse Dies at 80

Keith Waterhouse, whose many plays — notably Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell — made him a fixture in the London theater, has died, according to published reports. He was 80.

Jeffrey Bernard premiered in 1989 with Peter O’Toole in the title role. It was revived ten years later, also with O’Toole starring. Among Waterhouse’s other works are the play Billy Liar, based on his breakthrough novel, and the books for the musicals The Card, which starred Jim Dale and Millicent Martin, and Budge. He also wrote the screenplays for Whistle Down the Wind and A Kind of Loving. Waterhouse’s Broadway credits include Help Stamp Out Marriage!, which was directed by George Abbott.