Deep blue seas of love and despair in moving Rattigan play

This Terence Rattigan play looks at the relationship between Hester Collyer and her lover Freddy Page, an ex-Battle of Britain pilot.

He came out of the Second World War a hero but hit the bottle when he lost his nerve as a test pilot.

Hester, who is estranged from her high court judge husband, attempts suicide by gassing herself in a dingy bedsit. At that time, suicide was still a criminal offence.

Rattigan wrote the play after he heard that a young man he loved had killed himself.

The Deep Blue Sea was first performed in London in March 1952 with Peggy Ashcroft as Hester.

The story looks at love and lust and what life was like after the war, at a time when people were generally repressed emotionally.

The play is recognised as one of Rattigan’s finest and was written when he was reckoned to be at the height of his powers.

He believed that plays should be about people and not simply ideas.

His audiences have always loved the way his characters faced their problems head on with courage and vulnerability.

At the height of his career he was one of the highest-paid playwrights in the world.

Two members of the cast had to drop out for personal reasons and Ecclesall Theatre Company was grateful to obtain replacements at short notice in Esther Davis and Gary Jarvis.

The play is being directed by Gerald Brown who is making his debut as a director after acting with the company for 18 years.

The play runs from tomorrow to Saturday at 7.30pm at the hall in Ringinglow Road, S11 7PP. Tickets: 266 7525 or 07763 153842.