Look Back in Anger (play)
"Look Back in Anger" is a seminal play by John Osborne, recognized as the first example of "kitchen sink" drama, which portrays the raw realities of working-class life in Britain. The narrative centers on Jimmy Porter, an archetypical "angry young man" who expresses his discontent with the social class system and the complacency of post-war British society. The play broke new ground with its use of blunt language and realistic dialogue, standing in stark contrast to the lighter comedies popular at the time. Upon its debut in 1956, it was met with mixed reviews, but it ultimately gained considerable acclaim, particularly for its representation of a disillusioned youth grappling with societal constraints.
The play's impact was profound, resonating especially with audiences in Britain, where entrenched class divisions remained a significant issue. Critics hailed it as a voice for a frustrated generation that had experienced the upheaval of World War II. Its success extended beyond the stage, leading to a film adaptation in 1958, further solidifying its cultural relevance. "Look Back in Anger" is credited with sparking the "angry young man" literary movement, influencing how contemporary struggles and emotions were expressed in the arts. Overall, it remains a critical piece in the exploration of class dynamics and generational conflict in mid-20th century Britain.
Look Back in Anger (play)
Identification British play set in northern England
Date Opened on May 8, 1956
Place The Royal Court Theatre, London
Author John Osborne
John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger was hailed by theater critics as being an influential drama. Its realism and critique of social issues influenced the development of modern British and American theater, and its themes of alienation and frustration spoke to groups of disenfranchised people in both countries.
Key Figures
John Osborne (1929-1994), playwright
John Osborne submitted the script of his play in response to an advertisement, placed by George Devine, in The Stage, a British theater weekly. Devine was looking for new scripts for his English Stage Company. The play was notable for its blunt language and realistic portrayal of everyday life, which was in sharp contrast to the contemporary and popular light comedies. It was the first “kitchen sink” drama—a term that refers to the depiction of gritty working-class realities—and focused on Jimmy Porter, the quintessential angry young man of the period, who rails against Great Britain’s class system and the complacency of its population. Kenneth Tynan, the influential drama critic for the English newspaper the Observer, called it a totally original play of a new generation, while The Evening Standard described it as a self-pitying snivel.
After a tour to Moscow, the play opened at the Lyceum Theatre in New York in October, 1957, enjoyed great success, and ran for 407 performances. Brooks Atkinson, an American critic, praised it as “the most vivid British play of the decade.” The following year, Tony Richardson adapted and directed it as a film starring Richard Burton as Jimmy Porter and Claire Bloom as Alison.
Impact
The play was hailed, especially in Great Britain where class divisions were more entrenched, as giving voice to a frustrated and disenfranchised audience, a young generation that had grown up during World War II and continued to find itself within a conservative, class-bound world dominated by the prewar generation. In the United States, the play’s impact and critical reception was felt most directly within New York City. In both countries, many saw the play as an indictment of the contemporary political and cultural establishment. The play indirectly gave rise to the phrase “angry young man” to the English language and sparked an “angry young man” literary movement in Britain.
Bibliography
Gilleman, Luc M. John Osborne: Vituperative Artist. New York: Routledge, 2002. Provides criticism and analysis of Osborne’s life and works, including Look Back in Anger.
Osborne, John. Almost a Gentleman: An Autobiography, 1955-1966. London: Faber & Faber, 1991. Osborne’s life and inspirations in his own words.