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The Real Thing

The Real Thing

A Play
DramaPlays
Pages
91
Published
1984
Language
English

Synopsis

The Real Thing is Tom Stoppard's 1982 comedy about love, deception, and what it means to want something real. Charlie, Vicky, and Rick have been best friends for years — a playwright couple and their close friend who share everything except the truth of how they feel about each other. Each has spent decades hiding a secret: Charlie is in love with Rick; Vicky with Rick; Rick with both of them. When the trio gathers to discuss a new play, their carefully constructed lies begin to unravel in a whirlwind of wit and farce. Stoppard uses rapid-fire dialogue and intellectual wordplay to expose the gap between what people say they want and what they actually desire.

Prose complexity
4/10

Vibe

FunnyRomantic
Love TriangleBetrayal

Genres

Drama Plays Satire

About the author

T
Tom Stoppard

Sir Tom Stoppard (born Tomáš Sträussler) was a Czech and English playwright and screenwriter. He wrote for film, radio, stage, and television, finding prominence with plays. His work covered the themes of human rights, censorship, and political freedom, often delving into the deeper philosophical bases of society. Stoppard was a playwright of the National Theatre; one of the most internationally performed dramatists of his generation; and critically compared with William Shakespeare and George B...

Characters

AnnieSupporting

An actress who becomes involved with Henry, challenging his perceptions of love and art.

MaxSupporting

Charlotte's husband and a fellow actor, whose relationship with Annie creates further complications.

All characters in The Real Thing

Frequently asked questions

  • Is The Real Thing a standalone play?

    The Real Thing is a standalone play and does not require any prior reading of other works by Tom Stoppard to be fully understood or enjoyed.

  • Are there any notable adaptations of The Real Thing?

    The play has been adapted for television, and its stage productions have frequently featured prominent actors, including a notable Broadway revival.

  • How does The Real Thing compare to Tom Stoppard's other plays?

    While still showcasing Stoppard's characteristic wit and intellectual depth, The Real Thing is often considered one of his more emotionally direct and less overtly experimental works, focusing intensely on personal relationships.

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