Frayn’s script, which won the Olivier Award for Best New Play in 1984, explores these two intersecting debates— fixing ‘broken’ housing and fixing ‘broken’ relationships— through the complex relationship between four wealthy middle-aged friends in 1960s London.

The narrative is told through alternating monologues and flashbacks… which meant that, despite Frayn’s obvious ability to write smart, punchy dialogue, it was very hard to get ‘sucked in’ to the drama of the play.