The Art of Concealment review, Riverside

Tainted Love

The Art of Concealment has undergone cast changes since its triumphant airing at The Jermyn Street Theatre earlier this year but Knight Mantell's gentle production still shines following a transfer to Riverside Studios 3.


You don't need to be a fan of Terence Rattigan in order to understand or follow this story of the playwright's secret life as a homosexual, and it will hopefully send you rushing to The Browning Version double bill currently playing in London, which is excellent. At one stage the cast play part of a scene from The Browning Version and it's moving even as an excerpt.

Rattigan, a waspish posh boy with a gift for revealing unstated emotions, is not particularly likeable at any point, using his money to procure the loyalty of men he loves, but he is always interesting and ultimately redeemed through the loyalty of friends and  the gift of hindsight - shown in Giles Coles' witty and quickfire script through the juxtaposing of the young Rattigan with the old. There are interesting insights too, into the politics of drama and drama criticism.

In conclusion: Some of the new actors have not yet bedded into their roles, but the script is a winner. Rattigan's life is as intriguing as his plays are telling. The scenes behind closed doors are highly entertaining.

References
Riverside Studios, Tickets