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Terence Rattigan

The Browning Version

Rattigan's well-loved play about an unpopular schoolmaster who snatches a last shred of dignity from the collapse of his career and his marriage. Twice filmed (with Michael Redgrave and Albert Finney) and frequently revived.
Andrew Crocker-Harris' wife Millie has become embittered and fatigued by her husband's lack of passion and ambition. On the verge of retirement, and divorce, Andrew is forced to come to terms with the platitude his life has become. Then John Taplow, a previously unnoticed pupil, gives Andrew an unexpected parting gift: a second-hand copy of Robert Browning's translation of Agamemnon — a gift which offers not only a opportunity for redemption, but the chance to gain back some dignity.
This edition also contains Harlequinade, a farce about a touring theatre troupe, written to accompany The Browning Version in a double-bill under the joint title, Playbill. The plays are presented with an authoritative introduction, biographical sketch and chronology by Dan Rebellato.
'The cruel inequalities of love always absorbed Rattigan, not least here — this is a play that has not dated.' The Times
155 printed pages
Copyright owner
Bookwire
Original publication
2013
Publication year
2013
Have you already read it? How did you like it?
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Impressions

  • stuti jainshared an impression5 years ago
    👍Worth reading
    😄LOLZ

    Nice plot
    😊😊

  • Sarvesh Pandeyshared an impression6 years ago
    👍Worth reading

Quotes

  • Анна Вардугинаhas quoted9 years ago
    EDNA. What an odd coincidence!

    JACK. Mr. Gosport – did you – did you marry Flossie?

    ARTHUR. Oh yes. She made rather a point of it, I remember.

    EDNA. Arthur! You mean your daughter isn’t illegitimate?

    ARTHUR. Oh no. She’s perfectly legitimate, I think.

    EDNA. (Annoyed.) Well, really? Of course that puts an entirely different complexion on the whole thing. It’s going to make me look very silly – if that gets out.

    ARTHUR. It all happened such a long time ago, darling, and I really didn’t see why I should bother you with the whole, rather sordid, story.

    JACK. (Quietly.) Mr. Gosport – when did you divorce your first wife?
  • Анна Вардугинаhas quoted9 years ago
    theatre?

    MURIEL. No, I won’t. I’ve told you. I want to see my Dad.

    JACK. And I’ve told you your Dad isn’t here.

    MURIEL. Oh, yes, he is. He’s not at The Palace, like you said. He’s here. I’ve seen his name on the posters.

    JACK. Well, you can’t see him now, anyway. Anyway. who is your Dad?

    MURIEL. Gosport’s the name.

    JACK. Gosport?

    MURIEL. Yes. Arthur Gosport. He’s an actor.

    JACK. Oh. I see.
    He signs urgently to the prompt corner. JOHNNY appears.
    So you’re the daughter of Arthur Gosport, are you?
  • maddyhas quoted9 years ago
    At a time when the Lord Chamberlain refused to allow any plays to be staged that featured homosexuality, such a proposition would have been a commercial impossibility.

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