The Houses by the Green

Synopsis

A sunny weekend in the present day. Two houses stand on either side of a small green, bordered by trees.

Four eccentric characters – Mervyn Molyneux, a wealthy Jewish businessman; the Commander, a retired naval officer; Oliver, a young man posing as their manservant; and Susan, Molyneux’s adopted daughter – become entangled in a web of deception, desire, and hidden identities as they navigate their relationships and conflicting ambitions.

The play’s farcical elements and rapid-fire banter are balanced by poignant moments of vulnerability, particularly as the older characters grapple with their fears of irrelevance and change. Through their interactions, Cregan examines the complexities of human relationships and the lengths people will go to protect their interests and preserve their way of life.