Max Rudolf Frisch (May 15, 1911 – April 4, 1991) was a Swiss playwright and novelist, regarded as highly representative of German-language literature after World War II. In his creative works Frisch paid particular attention to issues relating to problems of human identity, individuality, responsibility, morality and political commitment. His use of irony is a significant feature of his post-war publications. Frisch was a member of the Gruppe Olten. He was awarded the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 1986.

Nigel Williams (born 20 January 1948, Cheadle, Cheshire) is an English novelist, screenwriter and playwright.

He was educated at Highgate School and Oriel College, Oxford, is married with three sons and lives in Putney, south-west London. After graduating from Oxford, Williams joined the BBC as a general trainee, and worked as an arts producer for the Corporation eventually becoming the editor of Omnibus and Bookmark.

His first novel My Life Closed Twice won the 1978 Somerset Maugham Award. For his screen adaptation of William Horwood’s Skallagrigg (1994) he won a television BAFTA. Williams was also the primary scriptwriter for the second season - based on Greek myths - of the acclaimed Jim Henson’s Storyteller series.

Williams’ most successful work has been the 2005 TV drama Elizabeth I, being himself nominated for an Emmy Award for his script and winning multiple awards for the film and its star, Helen Mirren.