"The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts" by W. Somerset Maugham is a play that explores the complex relationships within a family. Set in the early 1900s, the story centers on Arnold Champion-Cheney as he prepares for the arrival of his mother, Lady Kitty, who abandoned the family years ago amidst scandal. The setting is Arnold's family estate, where his wife, Elizabeth, and other guests are gathered. This reunion stirs up old feelings and hidden resentments, especially from Arnold, who is still bitter about his mother's past actions. Through witty dialogue and tense interactions, the play examines themes of love, loyalty, and the impact of past decisions on present relationships, highlighting the challenges of familial ties against a backdrop of societal expectations and personal desires.
The Circle: A Comedy in Three Acts
By W. Somerset (William Somerset) Maugham
Decades after a scandalous departure, a family confronts hidden resentments and the complexities of love when an estranged mother returns to their grand estate.
Summary
About the AuthorWilliam Somerset Maugham was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories. Born in Paris, where he spent his first ten years, Maugham was schooled in England and went to a German university. He became a medical student in London and qualified as a physician in 1897. He never practised medicine, and became a full-time writer. His first novel, Liza of Lambeth (1897), a study of life in the slums, attracted attention, but it was as a playwright that he first achieved national celebrity. By 1908 he had four plays running at once in the West End of London. He wrote his 32nd and last play in 1933, after which he abandoned the theatre and concentrated on novels and short stories.
William Somerset Maugham was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories. Born in Paris, where he spent his first ten years, Maugham was schooled in England and went to a German university. He became a medical student in London and qualified as a physician in 1897. He never practised medicine, and became a full-time writer. His first novel, Liza of Lambeth (1897), a study of life in the slums, attracted attention, but it was as a playwright that he first achieved national celebrity. By 1908 he had four plays running at once in the West End of London. He wrote his 32nd and last play in 1933, after which he abandoned the theatre and concentrated on novels and short stories.
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