Terence Rattigan, a central figure in 20th-century British drama, established his reputation through a series of mid-century plays that balanced craftsmanship with emotional restraint. His career spanned decades of creative output, from the early success of French Without Tears in 1936 to the subsequent screenwriting triumphs that rendered him, at one point, the highest-paid screenwriter in the world.
Early Development and Cricket
Born in 1911 in South Kensington, London, Rattigan attended Sandroyd School and Harrow School. His interest in cricket was pronounced during his formative years; he played for the Harrow First XI and scored 29 runs in the 1929 Eton-Harrow match. He later attended Trinity College, Oxford, after a youth marked by the high-profile diplomatic career of his father, Frank Rattigan.
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Rattigan found early success with his 1936 comedy, French Without Tears. He transitioned toward more serious social themes with After the Dance in 1939. His service as an RAF tail gunner during the Second World War informed his play Flare Path. In the post-war years, he secured his status as a leading dramatist with The Winslow Boy in 1946, followed by The Browning Version in 1948, The Deep Blue Sea in 1952, and Separate Tables in 1954.
Professional Challenges and Later Work
The emergence of the Angry Young Men movement in the late 1950s led to a shift in theatrical tastes that placed Rattigan’s work in a traditional category. He continued to write plays such as Ross in 1960 and Cause Célèbre. Despite critical pressure, he maintained his practice of writing for a symbolic audience member he dubbed Aunt Edna. He spent his final years living in Bermuda, focusing on lucrative film scripts like The V.I.P.s and The Yellow Rolls-Royce.
Personal Life and Honors
Rattigan, who lived as a gay man, often explored themes of repression and emotional frustration in his work, sometimes incorporating coded references to his own life. He was knighted, becoming a Knight Bachelor, and held the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1962 and died in 1977, leaving behind a significant body of work.
Fast facts
- Born: 1911, London
- Died: 1977, Hamilton
- Education: Harrow School; Trinity College
- Notable Works: The Winslow Boy, The Browning Version, The Deep Blue Sea, Separate Tables
- RAF Service: Tail gunner
- Awards: Best Screenplay Award (1951), CBE, Knight Bachelor
- Burial: Kensal Green Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was the inspiration for the play The Sleeping Prince?
The Royal House of Romania is considered the inspiration for this work.
Did Rattigan ever pursue his interest in cricket?
Yes, he played for the Harrow First XI and participated in the Eton-Harrow match of 1929.
