Synopsis

A ramshackle house in Norfolk, where a family gathers to meet a long-awaited visitor.

Beatie Bryant, a young woman returning from London, eagerly anticipates introducing her socialist boyfriend Ronnie to her working-class family. As she attempts to prepare her relatives for his arrival, Beatie finds herself caught between two worlds – the intellectual stimulation of her life in the city and the deeply rooted traditions of her rural upbringing.

This poignant drama explores themes of class, education, and the struggle for self-improvement in post-war Britain. Wesker’s keen ear for dialogue brings to life the tensions between generations and the clash of urban and rural values. Through Beatie’s journey of self-discovery, the play examines the concept of “roots” – not just familial ties, but the cultural and intellectual foundations that shape our identities. With humour, warmth, and unflinching honesty, Roots captures a pivotal moment of social change, questioning whether true personal growth is possible without severing one’s connections to the past.