Becket

When the Archbishop of Canterbury died, Henry II forced his companion and political lieutenant, Thomas Becket, to take his place. Becket told his king: 'If I become archbishop I shall cease to be your friend.' Becket, who with Henry had fought the Church for the good of the State, now felt responsible for the honour of God.

Anouilh's classic historical tale of conflict between church and state, in a major new translation by Frederic and Stephen Raphael

In Becket, Anouilh presents the history of England under Henry II as if it was France under German occupation. As Henry's long-time political playmate, Thomas's elevation to Archbishop of Canterbury forces him to sacrifice the love of his leader for his newfound love of the church:"If I become archbishop I shall cease to be your friend".
Becket was first produced at the Théâtre Montparnasse in 1959.

"Witty, intelligent, full of repartee and irreverence...it can hold an audience spellbound" (Financial Times)

This new translation is published to tie in with a production of the play opening at London's Theatre Royal, Haymarket.