The absence of war

After a long period of turmoil, the Leader's office has imposed an uneasy period of calm on the Labour Party. But the leader, George Jones, knows he has only one chance of power. The third part of a trilogy of plays about British institutions,The Absence of Waroffers an original look at the way modern politicians think and act, as well as a meditation on the classic problems of leadership. Alongside the first two parts of the trilogy,Racing DemonandMurmuring Judges, about the Church and the Law, David Hare has also writtenAsking Around, a documentary book which supplies the background to the writing of the plays. David Harewas born in Sussex, England in 1947. His first play,Slag, was produced in 1970. His other works includePlenty(1978),A Map of the World(1983), andPravda(1985). A founder of the Portable Theatre and the Joint Stock, he became resident dramatist and literary manager of the Royal Court Theatre, London (196771), and at the Nottingham Playhouse (1973). Until recently, Hare served as director of the National Theatre, London. In 1982, Hare founded a film company, Greenpoint Films. He has written several screenplays includingPlenty(1985),Weatherby(1985),Strapless(1989), andDamage(1992).Several of his best-known plays,The Secret Rapture,Racing Demon,Skylight,The Judas Kiss,Via DolorosaandAmy's Viewhave also been presented on Broadway. The Absence of War, the final installment in David Hare's trilogy about British institutions, offers an original look at the way modern politicians think and act, as well as a meditation on the classic problems of leadership. After a long period of turmoil, the Leader's office has imposed an uneasy period of calm on the Labour Party. But the leader, George Jones, knows he has only one chance of power. The title, from a legal expression, means to speak ill of the judiciary; to do so is still an offense in Scottish law. In this trilogy, David Hare assults one of favorite targetsinstitutions. He takes a harsh look at religion, the legal system, and Britain's political parties; specifically, the Church of England, the British legal system, Thatcherian politics, and the English press. Alongside the final installment of the trilogy,Racing Demonexplores the inner conflicts of the Church of England, whileMurmuring Judgestakes a behind the scenes look at Britain's legal system. David Hare has also writtenAsking Around, a documentary book which supplies the background to the writing of the plays. "Britain's leading contemporary playwright." The Times