It starred Richard Kiley, Geraldine Page, Sandy Dennis, Carole Shelley, Larry Blyden, and Tony Roberts.
[2] In 1994 James Maxwell directed a production for the Royal Exchange, Manchester with Trevor Cooper, Margo Gunn, Denys Hawthorne, Patrick O'Kane and Amanda Boxer.
A new production was staged during May 2011 at the new Curve Theatre in Leicester, starring Tracy-Ann Oberman and Louise Plowright and directed by Paul Kerryson.
It was the first major revival in the city for almost fifteen years and transferred back to the UK in January 2020, at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield, in Ayckbourn's native county of Yorkshire.
It was directed by John Cotgrave and starred Maria Sykes, Adam Elms, Claire Marlein, Alex Thompson, Eve Burley, and Joshua Nutbrown.
In the final act, Jane seems to lose a sense of identity, parroting her husband's enthusiasm in his macabre party game.
By the third act she has recovered, dispensed with her addiction to pain-killers, and appears to be teetotal (or at least a much lighter drinker, refusing alcohol even though she's not driving).
By the end of the play she is in perhaps the best position, being in control of her life and her relationship, neither warped by success nor embittered by failure, though she clearly has many practical challenges to overcome.
Although he tries to maintain a facade of cheerful aristocratic bluster, his nerves show through, and he is forced to submit to Sidney as the holder of a large business account in Ronald's bank.