As the world races towards catastrophe, a crowd of Mayfair socialites parties its way to oblivion. At its centre is David, who idles away his sober moments researching a futile book until the beautiful Helen decides to save him, shattering his marriage and learning too late the depth of both David's indolence and his wife's undeclared love. But with finances about to crash and humanity on the brink of global conflict, the drink keeps flowing and the revellers dance on. Both an insightful, witty critique of a generation and a profound dissection of the depths of human emotion, After the Dance will be given a major revival at London's National Theatre in May 2010 as part of the ongoing celebrations of the centenary of Rattigan's birth.