The Ruling Class (Modern Plays)

The Ruling Class (Modern Plays)

by PeterBarnes (Author)

Synopsis

Etonians aren't exactly noted for their grey matter, but I've always found them perfectly adjusted to society. Jack, a possible paranoid schizophrenic with a Messiah complex, inherits the title of the 14th Earl of Gurney after his father passes away in a bizarre accident. Singularly unsuited to a life in the upper echelons of elite society, Jack finds himself at the centre of a ruthless power struggle as his scheming family strives to uphold their reputation. Bubbling with acerbic wit and feverish energy, Olivier Award-winning and Oscar-nominated-writer Peter Barnes's razor-sharp satire combines a ferocious mix of hilarity and horror whilst mercilessly exposing the foibles of the English nobility. This edition of the play is published to coincide with the first-ever revival of this classic cult comedy at the Trafalgar Studios, London, on 16 January 2015.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 138
Edition: Reprint
Publisher: Bloomsbury Methuen Drama
Published: 16 Jan 2015

ISBN 10: 1474248535
ISBN 13: 9781474248532
Book Overview: Peter Barnes's razor-sharp satire combines a ferocious mix of hilarity and horror whilst mercilessly exposing the foibles of the English nobility.

Media Reviews
Witty, angry, ugly and alive * The Times *
Barnes's play has an intoxicating energy that allows characters to spring into song-and-dance at a moment's notice and still touches a few raw nerves. * Guardian *
It is a scorching and savage tragedy, yet its jokes are innumerable, and of a quality not to be found in any other play in London. Not only are they uproariously funny, but at the same time as they make you laugh your head off they throw wide open the windows of your mind, they enlarge your field of vision and they blow away the accumulated dust of ages. * Sunday Times *
Barnes's writing delivers pitch-black comedy that calls to mind the deranged magic of Monty Python * Evening Standard *
Author Bio
Peter Barnes (1931-2004) was a British writer and director whose work includes The Ruling Class (Nottingham and Piccadilly Theatre, London, 1968), Leonardo's Last Supper and Noonday Demons (Open Space Theatre, London, 1969), The Bewitched (RSC, Aldwych Theatre, London, 1974), Laughter! (Royal Court Theatre, 1978), Red Noses (RSC, Barbican, 1985) and Sunsets and Glories (West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, 1990). Over the course of his career he won many awards including the Evening Standard Award, 1969; the John Whiting Award, 1969; the Sony Best Play Award, 1981; the Laurence Olivier Award, 1985; the Royal Television society Award for Best TV Play, 1987; and was nominated for an Oscar in 1993.