Quartermaine's Terms

BRITAIN'S CHEKHOV SPEAKS TO THE HEART

First staged in 1981, this quintessentially British play takes a poignant look at human relationships, loss and loneliness. Written by the Simon Gray, Quartermaine's Terms is arguably one of his finest works. This study of loneliness, both being and feeling, balances its bleak sense of tragedy with wit and comedy by simultaneously poking fun at British civility and cheeriness in the face of trauma and loss.

Described by The Telegraph's Charles Spencer as "an English drama that can genuinely stand comparison with Chekhov", Quartermaine's Terms is a compelling and ultimately moving play, and stars world-renown actor Rowan Atkinson as St John Quartermaine.

WHAT IS QUARTERMAINE'S TERMS ABOUT?

Set in the staffroom of an English Language School for Foreigners, the story traverses two years and the lives of seven teachers. Derek's move from Hull to unwelcoming Cambridge has been challenging; spinster Melanie loathes the ailing mother she is forced to care for; Anita's husband is a serial adulterer; Mark's marriage is troubled; Eddie grieves his deceased partner; and Henry's suffocates in his dysfunctional nuclear family.

At the core of the group is St John Quartermaine, placid bachelor and hopelessly humdrum teacher, whose agreeable nature and constant presence in the staffroom make him the ideal pair of ears for his colleagues ventings and ramblings about their dreams, fears and failings. As they spill their struggles to in their self-involved attempts at coming to terms with life, while simultaneously stirring questions about detached and diffident Quartermaine's own life beyond the school grounds.

DID YOU KNOW?

Quartermaine's Terms was awarded the 1982 Cheltenham Literary Prize. The stage play was adapted and produced for TV in 1987 and BBC radio in 2006. Playwright Simon Gray passed away on 7 August 2008. In his life he wrote more than 30 stage plays, 5 novels and a number of plays for TV, radio and film.