Tea and Sympathy

Tea and Sympathy (1953), a play by Robert Anderson. [ Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 712 perf.] At the New England boys' school he attends, Tom Lee (John Kerr) is considered an “off horse,” a boy whose shyness sets him apart from others and even leads to suspicion of homosexuality. Neither the sanctimonious, aggressively masculine headmaster, Bill Reynolds (Leif Erickson), nor Tom's own father, Herbert Lee (John McGovern), helps matters. Tom's problems are brought to a head when he is cast as a girl in a school play. The only person who understands him and is willing to provide more than the customary tea and sympathy is Reynolds's wife, Laura (Deborah Kerr). She berates Reynolds for persecuting Tom to hide his doubts about his own masculinity, then discreetly offers herself to the boy, remarking, “Years from now—when you talk about this—and you will—be kind.” Louis Kronenberger saw the play as “a full‐fashioned theatre piece, a thoroughly effective matinee drama,” and the Playwrights' Company production was also one of the first American plays to directly address homophobia and the prejudices that arise from it.

This article is about the stage play. For the film, see Tea and Sympathy (film). For the Bernard Fanning album, see Tea & Sympathy. It is also the title of songs by Janis Ian and Jars of Clay.

1st edition cover
(Random House)

Tea and Sympathy is a 1953 stage play in three acts by Robert Anderson.

Contents 1 The Play 1.1 Broadway premiere 1.2 London 1.3 Paris 2 External Links

The Play

Broadway premiere

It received its premiere on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on September 30, 1953 in a production by The Playwrights' Company, directed by Elia Kazan and designed by Jo Mielziner. The play starred Deborah Kerr, Leif Erickson and John Kerr. It transferred to the Longacre Theatre, and later the 48th Street Theatre. It had a total run of 712 performances. During the run, Joan Fontaine and Anthony Perkins took over the roles played by Deborah Kerr and John Kerr.

London

The play was first performed in London at the Comedy Theatre under membership conditions, because of the ban imposed by the Lord Chamberlain.

Paris

A French adaptation was presented at the Théâtre de Paris, Paris starring Ingrid Bergman and Jean-Loup Phillipe and directed by Jean Mercure.

External Links

• Tea and Sympathy at Internet Broadway Database

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