The Secret Rapture (play)

The Secret Rapture
Poster of original production
Written byDavid Hare
Date premieredLyttelton, Royal National Theatre, 1988
Original languageEnglish
Setting1980s Britain

The Secret Rapture is a 1988 British play by David Hare. Its premiere in the Lyttelton auditorium of the Royal National Theatre was directed by Howard Davies.[1][2] British revivals of the play have included one at the Salisbury Playhouse in 2001[3] and at the Lyric Theatre, London in 2003.[4] Hare later adapted it as 1993 film of the same title, also directed by Davies.

It is set in 1980s Britain and examines the impact of Thatcherism on personal relationships within the family of a junior government minister after her father's death. Hare states that its title refers to a nun's feeling of ecstasy on being received by God at the moment of her death,[5][6] rather than the Protestant concept of the Rapture.

  1. ^ "Past productions 1986-1990 - Past Events - National Theatre". www.nationaltheatre.org.uk. Archived from the original on 22 May 2010.
  2. ^ "Review/Theater; Bennett Breaks Ground in Britain As Aloof Meets Aloof in Spy Case - New York Times". nytimes.com. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Theatre review: The Secret Rapture | Stage | The Guardian". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Review of The Secret Rapture - 2003". theatreguidelondon.co.uk. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  5. ^ "The Secret Rapture, a CurtainUp London review". curtainup.com. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  6. ^ "New York Magazine". Newyorkmetro.com. New York Media, LLC: 132. 8 February 1971. ISSN 0028-7369. Retrieved 18 October 2014.