The Complaisant Lover

Consisting of two acts, each of two scenes, the play revolves around an affair between Mary Rhodes and Clive Root, the book seller friend of her husband, Victor.

[1] The Complaisant Lover was first produced on 18 June 1959 by John Gielgud at the Globe Theatre London, where it ran for almost a year.

[3] The play opened at Broadway's Ethel Barrymore Theatre on 1 November 1961, directed by Glen Byam Shaw; and ran for 101 performances.

[1] In 1968 the play was staged by director Alan Vaughan Williams at the Liverpool Playhouse with particular critical praise going to actors in secondary roles; including Paul Freeman as Dr Van Droog and Christian Rodska as the valet.

[5] On its Broadway staging, The New York Times praised the production and performances, but concluded, "In the English way "The Complaisant Lover" talks about sex without heat and outrages morality with scarcely the tinkle of a teacup.