Described as "ground-breaking"[1] and "a breakthrough in Britain for black writing," the play has been produced and revived worldwide since its premiere at London's Royal Court Theatre.

Set in Port of Spain, Trinidad, the play opens on a hot, late evening in the yard of two dilapidated buildings.

Ephraim is just returning from his work as a trolleybus conductor, and converses with Esther Adams, left home alone with her newborn brother.

Ephraim yells at her endangering the Adams family when the wealthy, stingy Old Mack "could well afford to lose"[5] the money stolen, and for accepting and wearing his expensive gifts.

The next day, Charlie, fearful that Old Mack's employee, Stephen, is going to be arrested for his crime, confides to Sophia that he robbed the café, and then went drinking.

Ephraim: A young man who feels trapped in a Trinidadian society where opportunity and upward mobility is scarce and the rich abuse the poor.

Sophia Adams: A spirited although physically and emotionally exhausted woman, who is wife to Charlie and mother to Esther and her newborn boy.

"[7] Charlie Adams: A former cricket player, who had dreams of playing professionally but was unable to achieve them because of the institutional racism he experienced.

He is extremely supportive of his daughter and her efforts and, shown by his actions in the play, wants a bright and prosperous future for Esther.

He is not particularly fond of her profession, and proposes to her during the course of the play in an attempt to stop her from seeing Americans as clients and as an apology for striking her.

The cast was as follows: The revised version of the play was first staged on January 15, 1962, at the East 11th Street Theatre, New York.

[9][10] March 2012 saw a revival at the National Theatre about which The Observer′s Kate Kellaway wrote: "Michael Buffong's entertaining production is tender and true.