Variation on a Theme (play)

Variation on a Theme is a 1958 play by the British writer Terence Rattigan. It is a reworking of Alexandre Dumas, fils's nineteenth century novel and subsequent play La Dame aux Camélias.^[1]

First edition, Hamish Hamilton, London, 1958

Original production

Directed by John Gielgud, the play opened (after a pre-London tour), at the Globe Theatre, London, on 8 May 1958, with the following cast:^[2]

• Hettie - Jean Anderson
• Rose - Margaret Leighton
• Ron - Jeremy Brett
• Kurt - George Pravda
• Fiona - Felicity Ross
• Adrian - Lawrence Dalzell
• Mona - Mavis Villiers
• Sam - Michael Goodliffe

Reception

While not received well by the critics,^[3] the play ran for 132 performances.^[4] Kenneth Tynan wrote in The Observer:

"As far as I could see the star of the show was Norman Hartnell, from whose contributions – a white diamanté sack, a shocking-pink cocktail dress in pleated chiffon, a casual ensemble of blouse and pedal-pushing slacks, and a two-tiered ball-gown in navy-blue pebble-crèpe – the lean extremities of Margaret Leighton nervously protuded [sic]."^[5]

1966 TV adaptation

The play was adapted for British television in 1966.^[6]

Cast

• Irene Worth a Rose
• Gary Bond as Ron
• Catherine Lacey as Hettie
• Grant Taylor as Kurt
• John Bailey as Sam
• Helen Horton as Mona