Melvin Barry Hines was born in Hoyland Common, England on June 30, 1939. He trained as an apprentice mining surveyor before studying physical education at Loughborough Training College. He taught for two years in a London comprehensive before returning northern England to teach physical education. His debut novel, The Blinder, was published in 1966. His other novels included Signs, Unfinished Business, The Heart of It, and Elvis over England. A Kestrel for a Knave, The Gamekeeper, The Price of Coal, and Looks and Smiles were adapted to films by Ken Loach, with Hines writing the screenplays. Hines wrote intermittently for radio and television. His works included Billy's Last Stand, Speech Day, Two Men from Derby, and Threads. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2007. He died on March 18, 2016 at the age of 76.
Lawrence Till is a BAFTA and RTS nominated Producer & Director with a background in award winning theatre, with over fifteen years' experience as an Artistic Director directing plays by new and established writers. He won a Writers' Guild Award for his encouragement of writers and has commissioned over forty new plays. He was Artistic Director of the Octagon Theatre, Bolton, from 1991 to 1999, and Watford Palace Theatre from 1999 to 2006.