The Deep Blue Sea (Nick Hern Books)

Rating:
Summary: A powerful play about love and despair
Review: Terence Rattigan's play "The Deep Blue Sea" has been published in a solid edition by Nick Hern Books. This edition contains an extensive, thoroughly annotated introduction by Dan Rebellato. The introduction is divided into two parts: one focusing on the life and career of British playwright Rattigan (1911-1977), and the second focusing on the play (which had its British premiere in 1952) and its production history.

The play itself opens shortly after a suicide attempt by its main character, Hester. As the play progresses, Hester must deal with her troubled relationships: one with her estranged husband, a judge, and one with her lover, a washed-up, heavy drinking former pilot. There are a number of supporting characters, one of whom is hinted to be a homosexual.

"The Deep Blue Sea" is about love, secrecy, despair, societal conventions, and the need to find a reason to live after a great turmoil in your life. The play is moving, and has strong dialogue. Particularly intriguing is the way Rattigan questions the nature of love--how the concept may be different for different people.

The two-part introduction offers a fascinating perspective on Rattigan's life as a homosexual man during times that included "a major witch-hunt" against gays in Britain. Rebellato also considers the actual play in a gay literary context. My suggestion, however, is that you read the introduction AFTER reading the play, since it gives away much of the plot. Overall, this is a fine edition of a play that remains compelling.