Alan BleasdaleBleas·dale, Al·an /ˈbliːzdeɪl, ˈælən/ (1946–) a British writer of plays for the theatre and television. His work is often humorous and serious at the same time, and deals with social and political subjects, especially the problems of people who are poor, unemployed (=without jobs), or unfairly treated by society. His best-known work is the television programme The Boys from the Blackstuff.