Five birthdays. Two unhappy marriages. One possessive mother.

It is 1976. Dennis tinkers in his garage, cheerfully indifferent to wife Vera's impending breakdown. Marjorie hovers in the background, making tea and finding fault. Neil has planned a birthday surprise for his wife, but Pam doesn't share his enthusiasm, preoccupied by frustrations of her own.

In perhaps his most emotionally charged play, Alan Ayckbourn masterfully evokes a world of hidden tensions and suppressed hostility. He skilfully navigates the tightrope between comedy and tragedy, guiding us towards a hilarious, yet chilling finale.

An Olivier and Tony Award winning playwright, Ayckbourn's ninety plays have been produced worldwide. Notable successes include, The Norman Conquests, Relatively Speaking, Bedroom Farce, A Chorus of Disapproval, and Communicating Doors.

Following successful tours of Absent Friends (2015) and Absurd Person Singular (2020–21), Ayckbourn's 1976 masterclass in suburban comedy and heartbreak will form the centrepiece of London Classic Theatre's 25th Anniversary celebrations.