Description
Based on the true story of Alma Rattenbury, who, in 1935, went on trial with her eighteen-year-old lover for the murder of her husband. In the play, Terence Rattigan pits Alma against a formidable lady juror, whose own life offers a plangent counterpoint to the central tale of love, betrayal, guilt and obsession.
Published in this edition alongside a major revival of the play at The Old Vic, London, Cause Celebre was Rattigan's last play and was still running in the West End at the time of his death in 1977.
It comes, like the other volumes in NHB's uniform edition of Rattigan's plays, with an authoritative introduction by Rattigan scholar Dan Rebellato.
'Few dramatists of this century have written with more understanding of the human heart than Terence Rattigan' - Michael Billington
About the Author
Sir Terence Rattigan was one of the most popular English 20th-century dramatists. His first play, First Episode, was produced in 1934; his best-known later works include After the Dance, Flare Path, The Browning Version and The Deep Blue Sea. Many of his plays have been adapted for film, and are frequently revived. He also served as an RAF tail gunner in WWII.
Reviews
Reviews from Rattigan's centenary revival, 2011: 'mixes anguish, suspense, humour and compassion to often electrifying effect' Telegraph 'stands the test of time... behind the play one senses the compassionate understanding for the outcast that was always Rattigan's trump card as a dramatist' Guardian 'still knocks its characters off their smugly held moral high ground with more eloquence and ruthlessness than anything produced by today's current crop of playwrights' Independent
Book Information
ISBN 9781854592071
Author Terence Rattigan
Format Paperback
Page Count 152
Imprint Nick Hern Books
Publisher Nick Hern Books
Weight(grams) 172g