The tragic story of how Rudyard Kipling sent his son to his death in the First World War.

The year is 1913 and war with Germany is imminent. Rudyard Kipling's determination to send his severely short-sighted son to war triggers a bitter family conflict which leaves Britain's renowned patriot devastated by the warring of his own greatest passions: his love for children - above all his own - and his devotion to King and Country.

David Haig's play My Boy Jack was first staged at Hampstead Theatre in 1997. It was revived at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham, in 2004, and toured the UK. The play was filmed for television in 2007, with Daniel Radcliffe as Jack and the author himself as Kipling.

About the Author
David Haig is an actor and playwright. His stage plays include My Boy Jack and The Good Samaritan (both for Hampstead Theatre, London) and Pressure (Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, and Minerva Theatre, Chichester). My Boy Jack was filmed for ITV, starring David, Daniel Radcliffe and Kim Cattrall, and broadcast in November 2007. His distinguished acting career includes West End appearances in Yes, Prime Minister (a transfer from Chichester); Art, Dead Funny (a transfer from Hampstead), Journey's End, The Country Wife and The Sea. At the National Theatre he appeared in Alan Ayckbourn's House/Garden, and at the Royal Court in Hitchcock Blonde and The Recruiting Officer. He has worked extensively for the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing, amongst others, Angelo in Trevor Nunn's production of Measure for Measure. He won the Olivier Award for Best Actor for Our Country's Good at the Royal Court, and received nominations for Mary Poppins and Donkeys' Years, both in the West End. His television and film appearances include Yes, Prime Minister, Mo, The Wright Way, Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Thin Blue Line, Talking Heads and Crime and Punishment.

Reviews

'Dramatises Kipling's story beautifully. The family confrontations bristle with life'

* Financial Times *



Book Information
ISBN 9781854595836
Author David Haig
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Nick Hern Books
Publisher Nick Hern Books
Weight(grams) 114g