J L Moreno, the founder of sociodrama and sociometry, is best known for the impact he had on group psychotherapy, out of which he created psychodrama. This is now one of the most important and popular of the creative′ therapies, practised throughout the world. The concept of role′ was central to Moreno′s theory and throughout his life he played many himself. A Paul Hare and June Rabson Hare describe a man who was, among other things, a psychiatrist, dramatist, theologian, inventor and educator, who made significant contributions in all of these areas in addition to being a major influence on social science and group psychotherapy. Moreno′s theoretical and practical contributions to therapy also cover a br