The Art of Concealment: The Life of Terence Rattigan

By: Giles Cole

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Synopsis: Terence Rattigan was once regarded as the golden boy of the West End stage but he suffered a sudden and catastrophic fall from favour in the mid-1950s. In this new play, written to mark the centenary of Rattigan’s birth, he is 66 years old, in failing health, and waiting for the curtain to rise on his last play, Cause Célèbre. The Art of Concealment is not only about the demons that haunted one of our great playwrights but about the creative process itself, the loss of youth, the pain of love and the shallowness of fame. How does a playwright judge his own life? Can it be crafted, restructured, or does he have a duty to be honest, finally, about himself? The play received critical acclaim during a sell-out run at the Jermyn Street Theatre in London.‘an illuminating postscript to last year’s Rattigan centenary celebrations… much of Rattigan’s character, and his craft, has been most skilfully revealed.’ 4 stars - Daily Telegraph ‘a well-made and sensitive play’ – Financial Times ‘richly insightful and deeply entertaining bio-drama’ 4 stars - The Independent