Robert Tanitch reviews Lawrence After Arabia at Hampstead Theatre, London NW3
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T E Lawrence has been the subject of a successful play by Terence Rattigan and a very successful film by David Lean
Rattigan’s play, Ross, with Alec Guinness in the title role, was an adaptation of the screenplay which was to have been directed by Anthony Asquith and starring Dirk Bogarde. It failed to get off the ground when Lean announced his epic, Lawrence of Arabia, with Peter O’Toole.
Howard Brenton, in his interesting and entertaining new play, takes up the story after the Arab Revolt (1916-1918) was over. The Arabs had fought on the understanding they would be granted independence. The Brits and the French reneged on their promise and carved up the Middle East. We are still living with the consequences
Lawrence had played a major role in the fighting. He worked for the Arabs (comrade in arms with Prince Feisel) whilst at the same time working for British Intelligence (spying for General Allenby).
Lawrence found fame difficult and once the war was over he didn’t want to be Lawrence of Arabia any more. He wanted anonymity and decided to re-invent himself. He changed his name to Ross and joined the RAF, slumming in the lower ranks, cleaning toilets.
In 1922 he took refuge with Bernard and Charlotte Shaw, hiding from the press in their home in the village of Ayot St Lawrence. Shaw was writing Saint Joan.
Lawrence was editing The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, his chronicle of the Arab Revolt, and was in two minds as to whether he should include or leave out that he had been captured by the Turks and had been beaten and gang raped.
But did the rape really happen? Or was it all a lie? There are, as Brenton’s text points out, great truths in lies. Riddled with guilt for betraying the Arabs, Lawrence felt he deserved to be whipped to death; and it was well known amongst his contemporaries that he actually liked being beaten up.
Brenton is well served by the actors in John Dove’s production. Jack Laskey is Lawrence, Jeff Rawle and Geraldine James are the Shaws and William Chubb is Allenby.
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