Theatre

In Theatre , W. Somerset Maugham–the author of the classic novels Of Human Bondage and Up at the Villa –introduces us to Julia Lambert, a woman of breathtaking poise and talent whose looks have stood by her forty-six years. She is one of the greatest actresses England–so good, in fact, that perhaps she never stops acting.

It seems that noting can ruffle her satin feathers...

In Theatre , W. Somerset Maugham–the author of the classic novels Of Human Bondage and Up at the Villa –introduces us to Julia Lambert, a woman of breathtaking poise and talent whose looks have stood by her forty-six years. She is one of the greatest actresses England–so good, in fact, that perhaps she never stops acting.

It seems that noting can ruffle her satin feathers, until a quiet stranger who challenges Julia's very sense of self. As a result, she will endure rejection for the first time, her capacity as a mother will be affronted, and her ability to put on whatever face she desired for her public will prove limited. In Theatre , Maugham subtly exposes the tensions and triumphs that occur when acting and reality blend together, and–for Julia–ultimately reverse.

二十世纪英国最重要、也是最知名的作家之一。一八七四年出生于法国巴黎，二十三岁即以第一本小说《兰白斯德丽莎》一鸣惊人；一九一五年的《人生的枷锁》与一九一九年的《月亮与六便士》，则更确立了他在文坛的地位。他也是一位成功的剧作家，编写的舞台剧在当时伦敦的卖座程度与萧伯纳相比不遑多让。

毛姆的一生多姿多彩，几乎游遍世界各地，一次世界大战时曾担任情报员，战后游踪更广，最后在法国南部定居，直至一九六五年去世为止。

毛姆著作甚丰，无论是小说、剧本、评论、随笔、游记和回忆录都广受好评，一九六一年与福斯特（《印度之旅》作者）同获英国皇家“文学勋章”最高荣誉。毛姆的小说多以异国为背景，处理情节的技巧十分精炼，善于营造悬疑气氛，而对于女性内心的描写更见细腻，处处展露出对人性的洞察。其他作品尚有《兼差密谍阿申登》《刀锋》《饼与酒》《书与你》《作家手记》《巨匠与杰作》等。