The novel Theater Theater Maugham Somerset, an English writer, was released in 1937. Maugham received a brilliant education. In addition to the successful activities of the playwright, he managed to work as an agent of British intelligence during the First World War, traveled a lot and, with the ease of true talent, reflected his impressions in literary works. Many of his novels and short stories passed into the status of classical literature, including the ironic, light novel Theater.
Julia Lambert and her husband
In the novel Theater (Maugham Somerset - author), the main character is Julia Lambert, the famous British actress. Having achieved success thanks to her talent in her young years, she held the palm at forty-six. “Brilliant, famous, beautiful, talented,” she hears these epithets every time after the performance. Julia is successful, her life was a success. She has many admirers, and Lord Charles Tamery completely hopelessly loves her all her life, completely not counting on reciprocity.
The husband of the great actress is Michael, “the most beautiful man in London,” as Julia says about him. She fell in love with him passionately at nineteen, he became a fan of her talent. In youth, they played together in the same troupe, but a weak temperament did not make him an actor, and in life he was distinguished by a calm and very even character. They wanted to get married, but Michael's parents were against marriage. Only thanks to the acting talents launched by Julia, she managed to please his parents. In the First World War, Michael went to the front, and Julia suddenly realized for herself that she no longer loved him. But her husband was still handsome, practical, calm, reliable and knew that he was a useless actor. This knowledge did not torment him, he believed in Julia and, going to the front, convinced her not to leave the stage.
Several years passed sincere torment, during this time the son of Roger was born in the family, the name of Julia Lambert became famous, she became famous as an actress of rare talent. The secret of acting was that Julia played in life and lived on stage.
A little relationship story
When Michael's parents died and left a small inheritance, he decided to put it into business and rented a small theater, the star of which was the great Julia Lambert. The co-founder of the company agreed to become a longtime admirer of Julia's talent - a wealthy "old woman" and aristocrat Dolly de Vries. Michael became the administrator and director of the theater, and he did it much better than the acting profession. Things were going well at the theater, thanks to the situation in society, Dolly introduced Julia and Michael into the circle of the aristocracy. The son grew up and studied away from his mother. Julia was bored.
The book The Theater (Somerset Maugham - author of the novel) was written after the First World War, when many families suffered crisis and collapse. The author, as a participant in hostilities and a connoisseur of human nature, reflected this in the novel.
But once Michael introduced her to a young clerk, Tom Fennel. William Somerset Maugham unfolds the story in English society divided into classes. And if Julia, the daughter of a veterinarian, managed to take her place in the aristocratic environment thanks to her talent, then Tom has very few chances to get into high society. He was an accountant and helped Michael take apart the papers. Unexpectedly for herself, as an easy fun ("... the boy will remember this for life and will tell his grandchildren"), Julia invited him to dinner. She could not remember his name, but she liked the role of the noble Julia Lambert - the great actress, who she played at dinner.
The plot of the novel
During dinner, it turned out that Tom watched all her performances and was openly in love with Julia. This was very amusing to the actress, but she quickly forgot about this episode. But once Tom sent her a bouquet after the performance, and after he called and invited him to tea. Guided by curiosity, Julia accepted the invitation and at the appointed time was in a small apartment Fennel. Having decided to make the young man happy, Julia suddenly remembered that she rented very similar housing at the beginning of her career. A small, poor room, an amiable host and surging memories slightly weakened internal control. All the more unexpected for her were passionate kisses and confessions of Tom, and, yielding to frivolity, Julia surrendered to the impulse.
Finding herself in the dressing room before the performance and remembering what had happened with a smile, she decided to delete this sweet episode from her memory. But Tom was persistent and, having received yet another audience, showed such adoration that the actress, who decided to categorically refuse him, again could not resist. Roman spun around and carried her along. Julia Lambert suddenly realized that she was in love with a young man. She gave him expensive gifts, spent a lot of time in his company and did not at all think that public appearances in society in the company of a young man could compromise her. Her reputation was impeccable, for many years in a marriage with an exemplary husband, she created her an almost holy image. William Somerset Maugham wrote a novel at a time when reputation in society meant a lot, and once you took the wrong step, you could become an outcast.
Middle age crisis
To save the situation and to convey to Michael the rumors decided tormented by jealousy Dolly de Vries. Michael believed gossip or not, Julia could not understand, but it sobered her. Michael jokingly told Tom that he would be grateful to anyone who agrees to go to clubs and restaurants with his wife, relieving him of this responsibility.
Summer came, and the Lambert family, waiting for a son to visit, moved out of town. Tom Fennel was invited as a companion for Roger. Julia hoped that the romance on vacation would flourish, and life would sparkle with new facets, but realized with frustration that Tom preferred her son's company. So the bitter discoveries began, Julia began to suspect that she was getting old.
In the novel Theater, Maugham Somerset accurately describes the subtleties of female psychology. Julia, as they would say now, was going through a midlife crisis.
Returning from a summer vacation, Tom and Julia did not see each other for a while. But her son became friends with Tom, and they spent a lot of time together. It was during this period that she learned that young people have fun in the company of young girls - actresses. Jealousy awoke in her, and her son threw her into bewilderment with the words that he wants to know what real life is. Explaining to Julia his, as it seemed to her, strange desire, he explained that he saw at home excerpts from various performances being played, but did not see what his parents and their relationship really were. The actress was seriously scared that her fraud was about to open, but Roger left soon after the conversation.
Life on stage, theater in life
The book "Theater" (Maugham Somerset) tells of liberation from illusions, false beliefs and freedom of choice. Driven by “best feelings” (or fear of losing profits), Dolly de Vries decided to open Julia's eyes to her young lover. She said that he promised the young actress Evis Crichton a patronage in the theater, mentioning that the “old woman” Lambert would do everything for him. Indeed, Tom asked Julia to give Evis a role in the new play. This actress could not forgive. And it was not a matter of trampled upon female vanity, much less love (by this moment Tom Fennel was no longer loved). But he betrayed talent and art in her face. It was impossible to forgive!
Evis Crichton got the role, but her career died on the day of the premiere. Having played half her strength at rehearsals, the great Julia Lambert let the full power of her talent unfold at the premiere performance. It was her triumph, her revenge, her fame and happiness! The whole world was again at her feet, and the unlucky actress was defeated. By chance meeting with Tom near the dressing room, she saw in his eyes even more admiration, but she did not care. In the novel Theater, Somerset Maugham revealed the character of not only a talented actress, but also a smart woman. Passing through crises, betrayals and difficulties, we become stronger, and the weaker sex is sometimes more dangerous.
The novel shows a section of society and the relationships within it, as well as concentrates on the features of the female worldview, the author acts as an expert on souls and characters. Perhaps you will be carried away by the full story, then at your service is a book - Somerset Maugham, "Theater". You already know the summary, now it's the turn of reading the full version of the novel.