Terence Rattigan's play, Man and Boy, returns to the West End this month, offering a rare glimpse into the life and work of one of Britain's most acclaimed playwrights. But what makes this revival so significant? The answer lies not just in its title character's ruthless pursuit of financial salvation, but also in the personal demons that Rattigan himself wrestled with.
At its core, Man and Boy is a father-and-son drama, one that exposes the darker side of family relationships. This theme would prove central to Rattigan's work, drawing inspiration from his own complex bond with his father, Frank. A diplomat forced into resignation after an affair with a Romanian princess, Frank was the antithesis of Terence – a talent for pretence and masked emotion that Rattigan inherited.
Rattigan used his writing as a way to explore these complexities, as seen in plays like Adventure Story, which drew inspiration from his father's love of Alexander the Great. Conversely, Who Is Sylvia? featured a hero who stayed resolutely married, a thinly disguised portrait of his own philandering father. Man and Boy takes this tangled web of relationships a step further, delving into themes of social and political antagonism, as well as the darker side of family dynamics.
But Rattigan's work also frequently touched on another theme: homosexuality. A discreet man in relation to public disclosure, he nonetheless explored these issues in his writing, including an implicitly gay relationship between Alexander the Great and Hephaestion. Even more strikingly, Rattigan saw a shift in public attitudes towards homosexuality three years before the Wolfenden report advocated for decriminalization.
So why does Man and Boy matter today? Audiences will judge for themselves, but there's no escaping the sense that this play contains intimations of more recent scandals. The sins of its titular character – heartless, exploitative, and dishonest – are all too familiar in our current cultural landscape. But it is precisely Rattigan's grasp of the central paradox of drama – that we are drawn to monsters as long as they embody energy and drive – that makes this play so compelling.
Ultimately, Man and Boy is a play about the complex interplay between light and darkness, family dynamics and social politics. It is a testament to Rattigan's skill as a playwright that his work remains so relevant today, offering a nuanced exploration of the human condition that continues to captivate audiences.
At its core, Man and Boy is a father-and-son drama, one that exposes the darker side of family relationships. This theme would prove central to Rattigan's work, drawing inspiration from his own complex bond with his father, Frank. A diplomat forced into resignation after an affair with a Romanian princess, Frank was the antithesis of Terence – a talent for pretence and masked emotion that Rattigan inherited.
Rattigan used his writing as a way to explore these complexities, as seen in plays like Adventure Story, which drew inspiration from his father's love of Alexander the Great. Conversely, Who Is Sylvia? featured a hero who stayed resolutely married, a thinly disguised portrait of his own philandering father. Man and Boy takes this tangled web of relationships a step further, delving into themes of social and political antagonism, as well as the darker side of family dynamics.
But Rattigan's work also frequently touched on another theme: homosexuality. A discreet man in relation to public disclosure, he nonetheless explored these issues in his writing, including an implicitly gay relationship between Alexander the Great and Hephaestion. Even more strikingly, Rattigan saw a shift in public attitudes towards homosexuality three years before the Wolfenden report advocated for decriminalization.
So why does Man and Boy matter today? Audiences will judge for themselves, but there's no escaping the sense that this play contains intimations of more recent scandals. The sins of its titular character – heartless, exploitative, and dishonest – are all too familiar in our current cultural landscape. But it is precisely Rattigan's grasp of the central paradox of drama – that we are drawn to monsters as long as they embody energy and drive – that makes this play so compelling.
Ultimately, Man and Boy is a play about the complex interplay between light and darkness, family dynamics and social politics. It is a testament to Rattigan's skill as a playwright that his work remains so relevant today, offering a nuanced exploration of the human condition that continues to captivate audiences.
The way it explores complex family dynamics and social politics feels super relatable in today's climate. I mean, who hasn't struggled with darker impulses or been tempted by the wrong side of the tracks? Rattigan's writing is like a masterclass in psychology - he's got this uncanny ability to tap into our baser instincts while still making us feel like we're invested in these characters' journeys.
The play feels like a cautionary tale about how far we can take our darker impulses before they consume us whole.
like, the way he explores these dark family dynamics is SO relatable, you know? and can we talk about how ahead of his time he was with his portrayal of homosexuality? like, three years before the Wolfenden report?! that's wild 
and also, have you seen any adaptations or revivals of his plays? i'm DYING to see Man and Boy on stage 
. I mean, you feel for the guy, but at the same time, he was super ruthless in his writing, especially with those gay themes 
. It's wild to think that he was one of the first ppl to tackle this stuff on stage. And yeah, Man and Boy is def still relevant today... it's like, we're seeing all these scandals with people being "heartless" and all, but Rattigan's play shows us why ppl are drawn to those types - they're just so complicated 
. The way he explores family dynamics and social politics? 
that's some next-level stuff right there. Anyway, I'm low-key excited for the West End revival... gotta see it! 
just read about Terence Rattigan's play Man and Boy returning to the West End 
the way it explores dark family relationships 
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, as well as the complexities of masculinity 
. and can we talk about how ahead of its time Rattigan was on issues like homosexuality 
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and can't wait to see how audiences respond! 
will they be drawn to the titular character's ruthless energy? 
either way, I know it'll be a wild ride 
it's wild to think he wrote this stuff before the wolfenden report even came out and people were still pretty messed up about gay relationships...anyway, i feel like man and boy is a play that'll keep you on the edge of your seat but also make you think about why we're so drawn to characters who are kinda toxic 
rattigan's ability to tackle these themes without shying away from the darkness is what makes this play so captivating 
. And have you seen the casting choices? Some pretty big names, but I'm not convinced it's gonna live up to the hype 
. The real question is, how much of Rattigan's own personal demons did he pour into this play? I mean, we all know about his affair with that Romanian princess... guess some things never change 
. Anyway, I'm intrigued by the themes they're highlighting – the darker side of family relationships and social politics. Hopefully, it'll be more than just a shallow revival 
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i mean, rattigan's writing is soooo good at exploring the complexities of human relationships, it's no wonder people are still obsessed with it today. but let's be real, man and boy is also basically a blueprint for all the entitled rich dudes in our current society... who can relate to that? 
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. His total box office revenue is now over £120M 
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(42% usage)
it's like rattigan knew exactly how to balance light and darkness in a way that still feels really relevant today. i think that's what makes man and boy so compelling... it's not just some old play being revived, it's an exploration of the human condition that continues to captivate audiences 
. It's like he was predicting some of the scandals we're seeing today, but also highlighting our collective fascination with flawed characters 
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. Has anyone seen Rattigan's other plays? What are your thoughts on Man and Boy? Share your fave quotes or scenes! 
, but Rattigan's play makes you love him... or at least, feel like you need to know more about him. Anyway, I'm actually kinda excited to see this revival - anyone else planning on checking it out? 
. And yeah, it's interesting to think about how this play reflects our current cultural landscape... but also kinda uncomfortable, you know? Like, we're still grappling with some of these same issues, and it's not always easy to confront them head-on 
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