Ce dramaturge britannique fut l'un des auteurs les plus populaires de sa génération. Ses pièces, généralement situées dans un milieu de classe moyenne supérieure, abordent des thèmes de frustration sexuelle, de relations échouées et d'adultère. Il dépeint un monde de répression et de retenue, reflétant ses propres sentiments d'outsider.
Ill health is forcing Andrew to retire from teaching. His wife despises him for his failures and finds consolation with Frank, a younger teacher. She openly taunts Andrew while Frank watches with disgust and shame. The wife knows she has lost Frank - but even more bitter is the realization he's now Andrew's best friend.
When fourteen year-old Ronnie is sent home from naval college accused of stealing, his father vows to prove his innocence.