Synopsis
Three couples Paul and Penelope, Andy and Susie, and Geoffrey and Alice have recently moved into a cul-de-sac on an estate of mock-Georgian houses. Paul and Penelope invite the others to a ‘get-to-know-each-other’ dinner party. From the beginning all six people know, for individual reasons, that there is something unusual about the evening.
Penelope is determined to create the right impression. She is sure invitation cards with gold lettering, vintage champagne, and a chef to cook dinner will say wealth and class sophistication. Paul comes from ‘old money’ so doesn’t need to impress. He does what Penelope tells him but takes opportunities to have a sly ‘dig’ at her when other people are there.
Andy runs his own catering company and thinks he’s God’s gift to women, and immediately flirts with Penelope, something that she pretends not to find flattering. Susie likes jewellery and clothes. She met Andy in the cocktail bar of the 'Club For Gentlemen And Their Friends' where she worked.
Alice teaches psychology at the university. She is worried about leaving her daughter with an inexperienced babysitter. Geoffrey is a professor of chemistry and is normally shy in the company of strangers.
As separate conversations develop before and after dinner the past lives of the six people are slowly revealed, to the horror of some and the delight of others. All have been divorced for five years. Penelope was married to Geoffrey, Alice was married to Andy, and Susie was married to Paul. At the end of the evening the partners know, but the others don’t. |
Characters
(3m, 3f)
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- Penelope - 35, seeks to impress, bossy, self-seeking
- Susie - 31, the sexy one, likes clothes and jewellery, married for money
- Alice - 32, the brainy one, married because she was pregnant University
- Paul - 43, weak, easily domineered (in fact prefers it), does not care about material possessions (because he has always had them)
- Andy - 37, smoothie, has a constantly roving eye
- Geoffrey - 44, the studious type, brilliant chemist, worked for a company, now a professor
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