{"product_id":"butley-by-simon-gray-rare-books","title":"Butley by Simon Gray [rare books]","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"111\" data-end=\"134\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"118\" data-end=\"134\"\u003eBook Summary:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"136\" data-end=\"408\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"8\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eButley\u003c\/em\u003e is a dark comedy by British playwright Simon Gray, first performed in 1971 at the Criterion Theatre in London.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eThe play unfolds in a single day within the cluttered office of Ben Butley, a university lecturer and T.S. Eliot scholar.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eOn this day, Butley faces the collapse of his marriage and the end of his long-standing relationship with his former student and now colleague, Joseph Keyston.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eAmidst these personal crises, Butley engages in sharp-witted, sardonic exchanges with students, colleagues, and friends, using humor as a defense mechanism against his unraveling life.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eThe play explores themes of identity, isolation, and the complexities of human relationships, all while delivering biting commentary on academic life and personal disillusionment.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"415\" data-end=\"454\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"422\" data-end=\"454\"\u003eAbout the Author: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"456\" data-end=\"734\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimon Gray \u003c\/strong\u003e(1936–2008) was a British playwright and novelist known for his sharp dialogue and exploration of human frailty.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eEducated at Cambridge, he spent two decades as a university lecturer in English literature.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eGray's works often delve into themes of personal crisis, self-deception, and the complexities of relationships.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eHis notable plays include \u003cem data-start=\"26\" data-end=\"34\"\u003eButley\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem data-start=\"36\" data-end=\"58\"\u003eQuartermaine's Terms\u003c\/em\u003e, and \u003cem data-start=\"64\" data-end=\"81\"\u003eHidden Laughter\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"relative -mx-px my-[-0.2rem] rounded px-px py-[0.2rem] transition-colors duration-100 ease-in-out\"\u003eIn 2005, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions to drama and literature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Clapping Pages","offers":[{"title":"Used","offer_id":45253233868986,"sku":"343O3HMV5-Used","price":89.0,"currency_code":"AED","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/5576\/0826\/files\/54_d291b105-a725-4d1c-9021-0b36780dd92b.jpg?v=1771433299","url":"https:\/\/clappingpages.com\/products\/butley-by-simon-gray-rare-books","provider":"Clapping Pages","version":"1.0","type":"link"}