Synopsis

A multi-purpose hall in Acton, London

Margaret is a working-class woman who has been housebound for fifteen years due to agoraphobia. Margaret, along with her fellow agoraphobics Katrina and Bell-Bell, is encouraged by Gwenda, a well-meaning but misguided volunteer, and Fliss, a trainee social worker, to participate in a rummage sale as a means of confronting their fears and reintegrating into society.

Through its darkly comedic tone and episodic structure, the play explores themes of mental health, social inequality, gender roles, and the challenges faced by marginalised individuals in navigating the complexities of modern life. Townsend’s sharp wit and keen observation of human behavior shine through in her portrayal of these flawed but sympathetic characters, as they grapple with their own personal traumas and the societal pressures that have contributed to their isolation.