It tells the story of a family living under the power of the vicious Billy, who physically, emotionally, and sexually abuses his wife, Mary, and children; Susan and Janet.
The stage version of the play was first performed at the Lyric Hammersmith, London, on 31 May 2000, starring Lizzy[1][2]McInnery, Gina McKee, Tim Pigott-Smith, Linda Bassett, Dione Inman and Gary Whitaker.
Throughout the play we learn from the three women that Billy had created a strange, warped world for them to be confined in from inside his damaged mind.
The story of abuse that Billy's family endured unfolds from interviews with police officials and psychologists with Mary, Susan and Janet.
The play is coordinated to bring out Billy's passively sinister presence, and although he is not physically there, he is present in their memories.