The Rattigan revival remains in such full swing it seems insane he vanished from the
stage for so long. And given how well plays like
French Without Tears hold
up, it feels downright criminal. The playwright has a knack for understated
heartbreak but while there's glimpses of that here, we're mainly in full-on,
mischievous comic mode. The setting is the rural French home of Professor Maingot
(David Whitworth,) where young Englishmen - usually those hoping to become diplomats
- can spend a few months learning the language from him and his daughter. Kenneth
(Patrick McNamee,) nicknamed Babe as he's the youngest, has brought along his
sister, and she's caused a stir among the other students. As the story begins she's
swearing love to Kit (Joe Eyre,) but when Bill (William Belchambers,) a Navy
Commander joins their class, he catches her eye too.
