The People are Friendly

Synopsis

A large Victorian house in Dagenham, Essex, on a summer afternoon

Michelle hosts a barbecue to celebrate her return to her working-class roots after years in London. As she attempts to reconcile her new life with her old one, tensions simmer between Michelle, her partner Robert, and her family members – including sister Donna, mother Kathleen, father John, and niece Kirsty.

Wynne’s sharp dialogue and keen observations create a vivid portrait of class divisions and the complexities of “coming home.” As the afternoon unfolds, revelations about Michelle’s true reasons for returning and her involvement in redeveloping the local shipyard threaten to unravel her carefully constructed plans. The play explores themes of social mobility, family bonds, and the struggle for identity in a changing world, all while maintaining a darkly comic tone that captures the nuances of working-class life.