The Circle - W. Somerset Maugham - BBC Saturday Night Theatre

The Circle: a Comedy in Three Acts is a play by W. Somerset Maugham. It was first produced at the Haymarket Theatre, London on 3 March 1921, and has been revived several times in the West End and on Broadway.

The play, which caused some outrage among a small minority of playgoers at the time of the premiere, depicts a young married woman contemplating leaving her husband for another man, and looking to an elderly peer and his partner, who eloped thirty years earlier, for advice.

William Somerset Maugham was an English playwright, novelist, and short story writer. He was among the most popular writers of his era and reputedly the highest-paid author during the 1930s

Both Maugham's parents died before he was 10, and the orphaned boy was raised by a paternal uncle who was emotionally cold. He did not want to become a lawyer like other men in his family, so he trained and qualified as a physician. His first novel Liza of Lambeth (1897) sold out so rapidly that Maugham gave up medicine to write full-time.

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[philiphema]

I am so pleased to be able to access Somerset Maugham's writings. As a child growing up in NZ I began this journey of delight around 14 yrs old. Now, at 76 yrs old and living in Hawai'i,
nothing has changed. The pleasure remains.
I was also delighted to learn of Syrie Maugham's creation of the first white interior as an established interior designer, a style still fashionable for many today in the 21st c.
Many thanks.

[feralbluee]

i read Maugham when i was in college in the ‘60’s. i loved his writings. and now am discovering him again. he is totally incredible! excellent production of this play. thank you so much. 🎭 🌷🌱

[leeknights]

It has to be said, although awfully clichéd, they don't make 'em like this any more. Fabulous actors, fabulous script, fabulous inspiration from WS Maugham, rhank you!

[vivienwilliams]

I loved that comment ' '' why, a woman's life is uncomfortable from the moment she gets up in the morning until the moment she goes to bed at night' '' Excellent Maugham.

[angelajones]

Excellent play, the grass is never greener! I could not be in the company of Lord Porteous for 5 minutes.

[JanetteHeffernan]

In the 1970s I went to the first night of revival The Circle at the Savoy. I was there as a guest of character actor William Kendal who was playing Lord Porteous. That night William stole the show with his entrance, Maugham wrote the most marvellous build up to this dashing young lover who entranced a young wife to run away with him to San Michele. Bill over 60, over weight and paunchy strode on stage left with a cigar in his hand in full evening dress which for the aristocracy in those days included knee breeches to a gasp of astonishment at the sight and a huge round of applause. Such clever writing. 
Bill was our next door neighbour, we lived in Stanmore and I think I was supposed to have driven up in my mini to take him home after the first night but I had gone up by tube. This was a pity because I missed out on a supper at the Savoy with the notorious Lord Bristol who was a friend of BIll's! I never had another opportunity.
I too know the spell of San Michele. This magic Villa in Capri has captivated me all my life that during Covid I made a short YouTube video called The Story of San Michele - Janette Miller to encourage others to visit.
This radio play brought it all back. The style of BBC rep is now a bit dated but delicious and Maugham's writing is still a pleasure.

[incrediblesimilarity]

While everyone has their two cents worth as to what they got out of this story, I have a decidedly different point of view about this play.
I am aware of the name Somerset Maugham and his wonderful stories written in the twenties. This BBC produced a play was very well developed, including all the actresses and actors.
At the very heart of this play, however, is the phenomenal writing of mister Maugham .
Think how he introduces his characters, and how he fleshes out their character so thoroughly. Once we get to know them, we think we can predict how they will behave and what they will say. Then towards the end of the play, people are not what they seem to be. People seem to forgive each other and become more palatable. They turn from hollow shells to complete characters.
The whole strength of this play is based on the fantastic writing.

👍👍

[Mrrossj]

After Teddy outlines his definition of love, any normal woman would have run screaming from the room. Black eyes. Fights. Jealousy. Poverty.

[feralbluee]

Maugham was such a good writer, always understood people’s emotions and didn’t treat them nastily, always reasons for things. very modern ideas, too, about women. i always liked him since H.S. and read him on my own.
this play was so well acted, directed, and produced. you can always tell professional actors. :) 🌷🎭

[TheSashapooch]

At the end we learn that Arnold was played by Alan Wheatley. I was sure I recognised the voice and I googled it, yes Alan Wheatley played the Sheriff of Nottingham in the old British TV show 'Robin Hood' with co-star Richard Greene ... Robin Hood, Robin Hood riding through the glen ... magic!

[jendoyle]

Thank you for sharing this fantastic play

[janep]

Every married man and woman should learn from this.

[cathygould]

This is just delicious❣️ I was so afraid the wrong people would win, and such a clever wrap-up❣️❣️❣️

[anaderol]

Thoroughly enjoyed this play - and may we all survive the interference of emotionally under-0developed daughters-in-law wishing to reconcile happily divorced parents 🤣🤣

[dianebonneau]

classic and intense mood carries us into that timeframe

[donwardell]

The BBC's finest actors and one of the worlds finest drama writers combine. A torrent of words issues forth in this class structured plot.
It's impossible to follow all the nuances in this well produced radio drama.

[granthurlburt]

"Would you like my make-up? I find it such a (calming influence)"

[Dawghome]

In the pic I thought two people on the right had big afro's, I can't unview it enough to see the picture for what it is or means to be.

[rosalindarcher]

Clever and wise. I enjoyed it immensley

[Angela-cchd]

Love makes Fools of us all one way or another, and it is very short lived!!! Elizabeth is living in cloud cuckoo land!