Terence Rattigan In His Own Words

Nov 14, 2024 12:26 AM

Author:Terrence Rattigan,Terrence Rattigan

This fascinating collection of archive interviews with the acclaimed playwright, whose centenary was celebrated in 2011, begins in 1969 with a radio appearance on Out This Week. It culminates with an interview for Kaleidoscope in 1977, recorded a few months before his death. In between are several major radio features on Rattigan's life and work, in which he discusses the craft of playwriting, the state of commercial theatre, comparisons with Coward and Pinter, his famous 'everywoman' character Aunt Edna, and several of his plays in detail including Flare Path, Cause Celebre, French Without Tears, The Winslow Boy and The Deep Blue Sea.

This collection includes the following interviews: Out of This Week, BBC radio (first broadcast 12 December 1969); Scan, BBC radio (first broadcast 4 January 1973); archive interview, BBC radio (first broadcast 12 February 1974); archive interview, BBC radio (first broadcast 5 September 1975); Kaleidoscope, BBC Radio 4 (first broadcast 1 December 1977).

Due to the age and nature of this archive material, the sound quality may vary.

Reviews

admirably captures the atmosphere, story-telling practices and feel of a traditional Doctor Who story

—— http://www.huntspost.co.uk

the writing and acting are so tight they're in danger of cutting off your blood supply

—— Jane Anderson , Radio Times

Cabin Pressure is one of the best written, cast, acted and directed comedies on anywhere.

—— Gillian Reynolds , Daily Telegraph

The more I listen to John Finnemore's Cabin Pressure, the more I think what a stonking masterpiece it is. Perfect in every department.

—— Philip Pullman

no-holds-barred

—— List

very funny but also very moving

—— The London Paper

very funny

—— Hampshire View

there are moments here that shine with the genius for observational comedy for which Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders (the Fatty of the title) are famous

—— Guardian

Dawn writes (with) tenderness, caring and oodles of charm. Well-paced, it's a reminder of why she has been a staple of the British comedy scene since the early 1980s

—— Guernsey Press

Anyone perparing for another dry, identikit celebrity autobiography is going to be delighted by these hilarious memoirs

—— She

French can still cut the comic mustard

—— Time Out

while much of the book's tone is that of the unassailably jolly Dawn we all expect ... other letters are tear-jerkingly poignant and none more so than those she writes to her late father Denys French

—— Daily Express

For all her honesty anyone hoping for a light-hearted romp will be delighted ... While her charm shines throughout, the more intense moments stay with you in a way that most celeb autobiographies can only strive for

—— Sunday Express

you'll be captivated by her witty and warm style

—— Prima

Self-depracating yet never self-pitying, irreverent yet never truly cynical, she comes across as a woman genuinely at ease with herself ... French is engaging company, and at her best she writes about heartbreak and elation with such grace that her book is impossible to dislike

—— Boston Standard

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