The protagonist of the play is William Maitland, a 39-year-old English solicitor who has come to hate his entire life.

[1] In Act One, like a prosecutor presenting a case, Maitland brutally shows the audience the utter despair and mediocrity of his life.

In Act Two, Maitland's crimes receive their due punishment, as he is deserted by everyone he ever cared about, including his clerk, his mistress and his wife.

At times the play uses the technique of intercut monologues, which are arranged like dialogue but involve no communication between the characters.

Williamson played Maitland, with John Hurt as Jones, Cyril Raymond as Hudson, Clare Kelly as Joy, and Eleanor Fazan as Liz.