Rattigan’s ‘Man and Boy’: A Scandalous Revival and the Playwright’s Pursuit of Recognition
A planned tribute to the celebrated playwright Terence Rattigan – the naming of a West End theatre in his honour – has reportedly encountered setbacks. However, a more fitting and enduring homage lies in the revitalization of his dramatic works. Currently, audiences have the opportunity to experience a rare revival of Rattigan’s 1954 play, Man and Boy, now playing at the National Theatre’s Dorfman theatre. This production offers a fresh perspective on a work largely unknown to contemporary theatregoers, despite its revealing insights into both the play and its creator.
The Weight of Success: Rattigan and the Shadow of ‘Man and Boy’
Man and Boy held immense personal significance for Rattigan. He desperately hoped this particular story – a provocative tale of a father’s exploitation of his son’s attractiveness – would solidify his reputation as a serious dramatist. The play’s narrative, steeped in scandal, continues to resonate with audiences today, offering a complex portrait of ambition, morality, and familial relationships. The genesis of the play can be traced back to Rattigan’s fascination with the story of Ivar Kreuger, the Swedish financier whose empire crumbled during the Great Depression.
Set in 1934 New York, Man and Boy centers on Gregor Antonescu, a Romanian businessman facing financial ruin. He seeks refuge in the Greenwich Village apartment of his estranged son, Basil, strategically using Basil’s personal life to entice a crucial business contact – the chairman of American Electric – into a potentially life-saving merger. The play’s most unsettling element is the calculated manner in which Gregor manipulates his son’s romantic entanglements for his own gain. This ruthlessness, and Rattigan’s willingness to portray it, speaks volumes about the playwright’s own anxieties and artistic ambitions.
Previous productions of Man and Boy have been infrequent. A 1963 Broadway and London run starred Charles Boyer, while a 2005 staging featured a mesmerizing performance by David Suchet as Antonescu. However, these earlier attempts failed to establish the play as a cornerstone of Rattigan’s oeuvre. This current revival at the National Theatre promises to finally bring this compelling, and often disturbing, work to the forefront.
But what does this say about the enduring power of a play that Rattigan himself so keenly wanted to succeed? Does the play’s uncomfortable subject matter contribute to its relative obscurity, or is it simply a case of being overshadowed by Rattigan’s more celebrated works? The revival offers a chance to reassess its place within the broader context of 20th-century drama.
Rattigan’s exploration of moral compromise and the lengths to which individuals will go to achieve their goals remains strikingly relevant. The play’s themes of financial desperation, familial betrayal, and the commodification of personal relationships continue to echo in contemporary society.
Beyond the play itself, the story of its creation and reception provides a fascinating window into the pressures faced by playwrights striving for critical acclaim and lasting recognition. Rattigan’s personal investment in Man and Boy underscores the vulnerability and ambition inherent in the creative process.
Did You Know? Terence Rattigan initially conceived of Man and Boy as a novel before adapting it for the stage.
The play’s exploration of a father-son dynamic fraught with manipulation and unspoken resentments is particularly compelling. It raises questions about the nature of parental love, the burden of expectation, and the corrosive effects of ambition.
Further research into Rattigan’s life and work reveals a complex and often conflicted individual. His own struggles with identity and societal expectations likely informed the themes explored in Man and Boy. For those interested in learning more about Rattigan’s life, consider exploring resources at the British Library: https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/terence-rattigan-papers. Additionally, the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography offers a comprehensive overview of his career: https://www.oxforddnb.com/display/10.1093/odnb/9780199239726.001.0001/odnb-9780199239726-e-38788.
Frequently Asked Questions About ‘Man and Boy’
- What is the central theme of ‘Man and Boy’? The play primarily explores the themes of ambition, moral compromise, and the exploitation of personal relationships for financial gain.
- Who played Gregor Antonescu in previous productions of ‘Man and Boy’? Charles Boyer starred in the 1963 productions, and David Suchet delivered a memorable performance in the 2005 staging.
- Why did Terence Rattigan consider ‘Man and Boy’ important? Rattigan hoped the play would establish him as a serious dramatist and demonstrate his range as a writer.
- What inspired the plot of ‘Man and Boy’? The play was inspired by the story of Ivar Kreuger, a Swedish financier who collapsed during the Great Depression.
- Where can I find more information about Terence Rattigan’s life and work? Resources like the British Library and the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography offer detailed insights into his career.
The current revival of Man and Boy is not merely a theatrical event; it’s an opportunity to engage with a complex and challenging work that continues to provoke thought and discussion. What does it mean to prioritize success above all else, and at what cost? And how do we reconcile the flaws of individuals with the brilliance of their artistic creations?
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