{"product_id":"pravda-howard-brenton-9781472574770","title":"Pravda","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe press and politicians. A delicate relationship. Too close, and danger ensues. Too far apart, and democracy itself cannot function. \u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003ePravda \u003c\/i\u003e(which means \"truth\") is a satire written at the height of Thatcherism when huge political changes were afoot. The play essentially studies, through black humour and close scrutiny, the tabloid ethic and the media industry as a get-rich-quick-fix. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn the programme for the original 1985 production of \u003ci\u003ePravda\u003c\/i\u003e, Brenton wrote: \"Pravda means 'the truth'. English newspapers aren't propaganda sheets. The question is, why do so many of them choose to behave as if they are?\" \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe character of Lambert Le Roux is a South African newspaper tycoon and the owner of several companies, striding his way through the regional papers en route to Fleet Street. Turning broadsheets tabloid, dumbing down the message, and stretching the truth, Le Roux takes no prisoners as he manipulates politicians and creates a media monopoly out of a once-respected industry. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eLe Roux is bent on dominating England's press as he has elsewhere in the world. As we see Le Roux accomplish his aims, we see also how the press is not the organ of truth we like to think it is. The dissemination of the truth is no longer its primary goal under the 'Lambert Le Rouxs' of our world. What is important now is what sells. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe play is an epic satire on the media in the Thatcher era; a morality tale about how Andrew, a young liberal journalist, finally succumbs to Le Roux, who makes him editor of a tabloid; and - allegedly - the play is a direct representation of Rupert Murdoch who, even in 1985, was a major force in media ownership. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHoward Brenton's and David Hare's first collaboration since \u003ci\u003eBrassneck \u003c\/i\u003ein 1973, \u003ci\u003ePravda \u003c\/i\u003ewas premiered at the National Theatre in May 1985, starring Anthony Hopkins and directed by David Hare, and was awarded the London Standard Best Play Award, the City Limits Best Play Award, and the Plays and Players Best Play Award. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis Modern Classics edition features an introduction by Philip Roberts, Emeritus Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies at the University of Leeds, and a foreword by Jonathan Church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Howard Brenton, David Hare\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 147257477X\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781472574770\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Methuen Drama\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/16\/2015\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 144\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.25lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.70h x 5.00w x 0.40d","brand":"Howard Brenton","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44080062300415,"sku":"9781472574770","price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_bb0f4c30-2ec3-4a51-9277-63786f367388.jpg?v=1685484730","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/pravda-howard-brenton-9781472574770","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}