After The Dance **** TNT

Despite critical success in 1939, the advent of war contributed to the early closure of this “lost” play by Terence Rattigan.

All credit to the National, then, for Thea Shurrock’s fine revival of his study of the Bright Young Things of the twenties who, now no longer young, are desperately holding onto their frivolous existence, closing their eyes to the imminent threat to their hedonistic Mayfair lifestyle of constant partying.

At the centre is Benedict Cumberbatch’s suave, moneyed, would-be historian, encouraged by his cousin’s determinedly bright-eyed fiancée to abandon not only the booze that’s killing him but his wife (a moving Nancy Carroll, her true feelings hidden under a flippant façade) as well. And, observing from the sofa, Adrian Scarborough is deliciously droll as a parasitic relic with surprising insight.

Lyttelton at the National, South Bank, SE1 9PX ( 020 7452 3000) Tube: Waterloo tube
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk Until 11th August £10 - £44.00