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SYNOPSIS
Jean Anouilh’s timeless play captures the conflict between love and duty. As a young man, Thomas à Becket was anything but a saint and, as King Henry II’s closest friend, enjoyed the lifestyle only royalty could afford. The two men spent their time drinking and wenching until an act of friendship tore them apart. Henry made Becket Archbishop of Canterbury and finally, with a purpose to his life, Becket followed his new vocation with such zeal that their two worlds could only collide, with devastating consequences.

BACKGROUND
“BECKET” was written in 1959 by the prolific French playwright Jean Anouilh, and subsequently staged in France, London (with Laurence Olivier) and then in New York (with Anthony Quinn) where it won the 1961 Tony Award for Best Play. The piece was then filmed in 1964 with Peter O'Toole as ‘Henry Plantagenet’ and Richard Burton as ‘Thomas à Becket’, gaining 12 Academy Award nominations. The play was last seen in London 13 years ago, also at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, with Derek Jacobi and Robert Lindsay.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Monday – Saturday at 7.45pm
Wednesday & Saturday at 3pm
Tickets priced from £11- £40
Box Office Phone number: 0870 9013356

Opening Wednesday October 20, 2004  Theatre Royal Haymarket London
Press Night October 27, 2004

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