In the play, Marion French belongs to Britain's Conservative Party, led throughout the 1980s by Britain's Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Known as the "Iron Lady," Thatcher was a strong and sometimes controversial leader. Research the government of Margaret Thatcher between 1979 and 1990. What were some of her accomplishments as prime minister? What were some of the strong beliefs of the Conservative Party? How were they different from the beliefs of Britain's other major political group, the Labour Party?

There is a lot of religious imagery in The Secret Rapture. Isobel seems to behave like a saint. Late in the play, Irwin says she has "made some sort of vow," much like a nun or monk might. Even the title of the play, according to the playwright, means death, "that moment at which a nun expects to be united with Christ." Investigate the life...