The wife declares her intention to commit suicide in protest, and the complications arising from this set up the rest of the play's action.
[3] Wendy Toye directed the play in 1995 at the Watermill Theatre, which was topical because of the nearby construction of the Newbury bypass.
She tells her husband, General Sir William Boothroyd, that she will take drastic action: unless the scheme is halted she will commit suicide on Monday morning as a protest.
But a young, ambitious journalist, who is a weekend guest, makes the Sunday newspaper headlines with the dramatic story and a photograph of Lady Sheila standing by the grave hastily dug for her by the crusty and loyal old butler Robertson.
Boothroyd Hall is immediately besieged by the world's press and TV reporters begging for interviews with Lady Sheila.