The Waters of Babylon

Synopsis

London, mid-20th century. A shabby basement flat becomes the nexus of political intrigue, personal deception, and moral ambiguity.

Krank, a Polish immigrant and cunning survivor, runs a seedy lodging house while juggling various schemes and identities. As he becomes embroiled in a plot involving a municipal lottery and potential political assassination, Krank must navigate a cast of colourful characters, each with their agendas and secrets.

Arden’s play is a darkly comic exploration of post-war London’s underworld and the ethical compromises made by those on society’s margins. Through a series of increasingly farcical scenarios, Arden weaves a complex web of con artists, politicians, immigrants, and working-class strivers, all trying to carve out their place in a rapidly changing world.