Anouilh's classic historical tale of conflict between church and state, in a major new translation by Frederic and Stephen Raphael

In Becket, Anouilh presents the history of England under Henry II as if it was France under German occupation. As Henry's long-time political playmate, Thomas's elevation to Archbishop of Canterbury forces him to sacrifice the love of his leader for his newfound love of the church: "If I become archbishop I shall cease to be your friend."

Becket was first produced at the Theatre Montparnasse in 1959.
This new translation is published to tie in...

Throughout his long and prolific career as one of France's leading modern dramatists, Jean Anouilh has been fascinated by the theme of the fragility of youthful idealism. Is it possible for the illusions of adolescence to accommodate the compromises and hard truths of middle age? Can love survive in an absolute form, as the young may be led to hope by some of the most venerable fables of European literature and of Greek mythology? Indeed can love survive in any form whatsoever? Modern French theatre in particular has been drawn to Greek myth as a vehicle for an examination of eternal human...

Produced in modern dress in New York with Katherine Cornell and Sir Cedric Hardwicke, the Galantiere version of the Greek legend comes from a Paris that suffered under the heel of tyranny. The play's parallels to modern times are exciting and provocative.

"Its dimensions are noble, its intentions uncompromising."-Southwestern University, Texas