Garrick Theatre

THE theatre will be performing one of Terence Rattigan’s least well-known, but perhaps best, plays when they stage “After the Dance” between April 21-28, 2018, starting at 7.30pm each evening.

In the mid-20th century, Rattigan penned a string of hits including The Winslow Boy (1946), The Browning Version (1948) and The Deep Blue Sea (1952), but After the Dance was cancelled after just 60 performances of its premier run in 1939 despite receiving euphoric reviews upon its release.

The play was also omitted from many later collections of Rattigan’s works.

After the Dance tells the story of two former ‘bright young things,’ David and Joan, now trying to carry on their hedonistic lifestyle.

But, as the shadow of the Second World War approaches and a mutual friend develops a serious romantic interest in David, the two are forced to face reality – whether they want to or not.

It appears with hindsight that the show unsettled the audiences of its time too much about the approaching European war.

However, a revival at the National Theatre in 2010 re-established the play’s reputation.

The acidic, wisecracking dialogue shone through and audiences could now sympathise with the plight of the main protagonists without also feeling a impending sense of dread for themselves.

The production went on to win four Olivier awards.

Speaking of the Garrick production, director David Glindon says: “The play depicts the futility and nonsensical lifestyle that too much money and seemingly no moral fibre can develop when a nation has come out of a period of devastation, such as a world war, and people with the cash to support it carry on recklessly, regardless of the consequences to themselves and those around them.”

Tickets are £10 each / £8.50 concession (Mon-Thur). A 2-for-1 discount offer is available for Monday’s performance (cheaper ticket free).

To book, go to http:// www.stockportgarrick. co.uk/whats-on or visit the Stockport Plaza Box Office in town.

Stockport Garrick Theatre is located at Exchange Street. Stockport SK3 0EJ. Free car parking is available at Applicon House next to the theatre from 6.30pm on show nights.