The première was given by the Royal Shakespeare Company in London on 2 July 1969, directed by Peter Hall.

[1] The cast was:[1] The American première was given in 1970 by the Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center, with Barbara Tarbuck, Robert Symonds and James Patterson, directed by Peter Gill.

It is a necessary avoidance, a violent, sly, anguished or mocking smoke screen which keeps the other in its place.

[2]In 1977 a musical setting of the play, composed by Michael Mantler, was released as a vinyl record.

The main roles were sung by Kevin Coyne, Robert Wyatt and Carla Bley.