A one-act play set on a sunny afternoon on the north-west coast of Ireland. Pat Scully, a man of 60, stands at the open door of his house and looks out at this garden and the hill-side beyond. Over the course of the action his son John, his daughter-in-law Mary and a visiting English painter and his wife - Kenneth and Ismay Leslie - come and go.

John seems quite taken with Ismay. He pays her a good deal of attention. Pat does not like this and becomes angry with his son on Mary’s behalf. Mary pays no heed to John’s behaviour and encourages the visitors to stay and experience a cèilidh to celebrate the end of the harvest. Kenneth announces they must leave that afternoon and Mary insists they dance a four-hand reel before they go. The couples swap partners and dance. John enjoys the opportunity to dance with Ismay and makes no effort to dance the proper steps. Mary tries to steer Kenneth around the floor and the couples end up colliding. The Leslies then say their goodbyes.

Pat is furious with John for flirting with Ismay and attempts to strike him with his stick but falls. John and Mary come to his rescue and settle him. As Pat dozes in the chair, John and Mary talk. John acknowledges his bad behaviour and realizes his father was acting on Mary’s behalf. They reconnect and reaffirm their love and commitment to each other. Pat, over-hearing the conversation, understands he has witnessed a rare and intimate moment in their relationship and is happy.

A play about marriage, the nature of relationships and how what is observed from a distance can often have little bearing on the truth between two people.

CastPeter CampionZara DevlinMaria GuiverPhilip JudgeClaire O'DonovanCillian Ó GairbhíDirector: Caroline ByrneUnseen Plays Curator: Professor Christopher MorashAudio Recording: Windmill Lane Recording Studios

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