Synopsis

In Ashes to Ashes the basic premise is the observation that a pretty young girl will often have a much plainer sidekick - the twist is that their roles were reversed in middle age. This two-handed black comedy begins when they bring home the ashes of Margaret’s husband Max. Margaret, who used to be subservient to Divora is now the dominant one but this changes when Divora realises that Max’s death was not an accident. But the balance of power between them constantly changes during Margaret’s descent into madness. The play gives the actors plenty of scope to show their skills.

Duration

Characters

• Margaret - a well-preserved middle-aged woman, bleached blonde, has worked hard to better herself and lose her Bristol accent, but it surfaces at times of stress as indicated
• Divora - Margaret’s best friend at school, was a pretty girl but married young and let herself go, plump, broad Bristol accent