Theatre

Julia Lambert is an ageing star of the London stage. She stands at the summit of her art and reputation, but there is no substitute for youth and the elation that the attentions of a younger man can provide, especially since her husband Michael's principal preoccupation is with safeguarding her career. In Theatre, Maugham follows a similar plot line as in Of Human Bondage and The Painted Veil: the heroine (hero) falls in love with someone who only exploits and doesn't deserve her (him), with disastrous results until... (all right, I won't say until what). Yet just because the topic isn't entirely new does not mean it isn't the occasion for the same trepidation and anguished, page-turning scenes. And Maugham knows his subject. He was a playwright. His novel is a realistic picture of the early 20th-century thespian milieu. In fact, it dispels many of the commonplaces about stage artists. Rather than irresponsible, capricious creatures, they are shown as hard-working and devoted, and production as a business where cost and income calculations often override considerations of art. At the same time, Maugham shows how expectations that they should lead a Bohemian life can affect even the most responsible and faithful actors. Theatre is realistically written, fun, and interesting. If this is the first Maugham you are reading, I would choose Of Human Bondage; but if you have already done that, this is well worth adding to your library.

I read this novel years ago and had almost forgotten about it. I had certainly forgotten how vivid and distinct the characters are. Maugham is one of my favorite writers; as one of his short story characters said, I have a weakness for a story with a beginning, a middle and an end. This story has all three and a very satifying end at that.

Middle-aged woman, a star of the London theatre, beautiful, fulfilled. But she thinks that something is missing in her life and falls in love with a very young guy, who is mesmerized by her fame. Later the young lover meets a girl of his age and falls in love with her, leaving behind his older lover. The story is as old as this world. What makes it so different from other million love stories? THe talant of it's writer and the truly wonderful finale. Maugham was able to turn the whole thing upside down. And it's not one of those sticky-sweet novels, this one has a strong character, which makes it truly interesting to read.

A photo from the set of Being Julia, the forthcoming film version with Annette Bening, led me to this book. Julia Lambert alleviates even the most claustrophobic subway ride with delicious English wit and melliflous sentences. You'll want to read some of the best lines out loud.

(About Russian translation) One of the best novel ever written. It's not "novel for women", it's novel about women. Very interesting reading.