A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

The Secret Rapture

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  4w, 2m

David Hare

"The contradictions and the anguish that motivates these characters is communicated with such wit and controlled passion that one hardly suspects the underlying, almost Christian morality, until the play's final moments of surprising violence."

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The Secret Rapture

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 2m
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

The children of light and darkness battle in this brilliant play by the author of Racing Demon. Gentle Isobel happily runs a small graphics design business with her husband until her sister Marion and her father's young widow Katherine demand to be taken into the company. Katherine is a destructive drunk and Marion is a Tory M.P. with the heart of a computer. Isobel accepts capital to expand and her business becomes high tech and impersonal. She ultimately walks away from her business and her marriage in this fable about the corruption of art and heart by a soulless, self obsessed society. Produced by Joseph Papp on Broadway where the cast included Blair Brown, MaryBeth Hurt and Frances Conroy.

History

The Secret Rapture premiered on the West End at Lyttleton Theatre in October 1988 under the direction of Howard Davies.

Keywords
Performing Groups

ISOBEL GLASS
MARION FRENCH
TOM FRENCH
KATHERINE GLASS
IRWIN POSNER
RHONDA MILNE

  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting

    The homes and offices of Robert, Isobel and Tom.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes

Media

REVIEWS

"The contradictions and the anguish that motivates these characters is communicated with such wit and controlled passion that one hardly suspects the underlying, almost Christian morality, until the play's final moments of surprising violence." - Evening Standard

"Astonishing." - Guardian

"Blazingly emotional." - New York Newsday

"The best play of the year and the most compelling British import in years." - Newsweek

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
    This title may have restrictions in place for London based productions. Please submit a licence request to confirm specific availability.

Scripts

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Authors

David Hare

David Hare
David Hare has been called "one of the great post-war British playwrights." Along with co-founding Portable Theatre Company and Joint Stock Theatre Group, he served as Resident Dramatist at the Royal Court Theatre in London and Resident Dramatist at the Nottingham Playhouse. ...
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