Synopsis

A family home in London during a terrorist attack

During a terrorist attack in London, Imogen, an idealistic young woman, invites a stranger into her family’s home through a social media campaign. As John, a British Asian man, takes refuge with them, tensions rise and long-held beliefs are challenged. Imogen’s parents, Emma and Bill, along with her younger sister Chloe, grapple with their fear, prejudice, and desire to do the right thing. As the night progresses and news of the attack unfolds, the family’s liberal values are put to the test, and John’s presence forces them to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and their society.

Lynn’s play is a taut, claustrophobic exploration of liberal guilt, generational divide, and the limits of empathy in the face of terror. Through sharp dialogue and shifting power dynamics, she examines how fear can unravel even the most well-intentioned people’s beliefs. One for Sorrow delves into themes of privilege, racism, and the gap between ideals and actions, challenging audiences to consider their own responses to crisis and otherness.