These two plays by Terence Rattigan are very different in style and subject matter. They were first produced as a double-bill at The Phoenix Theatre, London in 1948 but their themes are still relevant today.
‘The Browning Version’ depicts Classics teacher Andrew Crocker-Harris, a stern, humourless man, in the last days of his long career at an English Boys’ School. On his last day at school, Mr Crocker-Harris (nicknamed “The Crock” by his students) is surprised when a pupil named Taplow gives him a small going away gift. This brings about a series of events that lead Crocker-Harris to reflect on his past, contemplate his future, and evaluate how he will finish his tenure at the school.
‘Harlequinade’ tells the story of a professional theatre company rehearsing for a performance of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ under the direction of Arthur Gosport, their ageing actor-manager. There are a number of other threads running through this play, such as the stagehand’s attempts to leave the theatre to do a ‘real job’, the humdrum world of bit players and the attempts in post war Britain to bring culture to the masses.
Beautiful grandson
Ted!
The two plays meet ....
Roll the wrists
away from the ball..