The Years Between (Daphne du Maurier play)

The Years Between is a play by the English writer Daphne du Maurier, better known as a novelist and particularly as the author of Rebecca (which she had adapted for the London stage in 1940). This is one of two original plays that she wrote. The other is September Tide (1948).

Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, The Years Between unfolds in the library/living room of an English country house. The man of the house, Colonel Michael Wentworth, MP, is presumed dead after his plane crashed into the sea on a flight to Europe in 1942.

His wife Diana is persuaded to take over the Colonel's parliamentary seat, and she is supported in her endeavours by her neighbour Richard Llewellyn, a sympathetic farmer with whom she strikes up a romantic relationship. Llewellyn teaches the Wentworths' young son Robin how to fish, thus becoming his great friend.

Three years later, as the war is about to come to an end, the Colonel returns. He has been playing a key role in organising the resistance movement in Occupied Europe, and his disappearance and death were staged by the authorities to provide convincing cover for his activities. The remainder of the play deals with the fallout of Michael's return on the various protagonists.

The Years Between was first performed on stage at the Manchester Opera House in the autumn of 1944. It then transferred to London, opening at Wyndham's Theatre on 10 January 1945 starring Nora Swinburne and Clive Brook.

The production, directed by Irene Hentschel became a long-running West End hit, completing 617 performances.

It was also turned into a 1946 film starring Michael Redgrave and Valerie Hobson.

After 60 years of neglect the play was revived by Caroline Smith at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond upon Thames on 5 September 2007, starring Karen Ascoe, Mark Tandy and Michael Lumsden in the principal roles.

...
Wikipedia