It shows the gradual destruction of a once-beautiful country property in the Great Southern district of Western Australia, Marvel Locke, due to overgrazing and rising salt.
[1] The play spans the years 1929 to the 1950s, as the lead characters grow from youth to disillusioned middle age.
Tom Barrow the owner begins a long campaign to redress the balance of nature, which loses out to the fierce ambition of the Italian immigrant worker Rome Bodera, who rises from poor farm hand to the richest farmer in the district.
The play however also emphasises Rome's vulnerable side, his disorientation at having to live far from home in Italy.
At the end of the play, she and Rome are sworn enemies in a dispute over the property, but some hope for the future lies with their love child Gabe.
It was directed by Rodney Fisher, and the cast included Ron Haddrick, Lex Marinos, and Hewett's university friend from the 1940's, actress Pat Skevington.
It was again directed by Fisher, and the stellar cast reprised Haddrick and Marinos, as well as Jennifer Claire, Arkie Whiteley, Sally McKenzie and Margo Lee.