This Story of Yours

Synopsis

A London police station and a domestic setting, 1960s. The veneer of law and order cracks to reveal the darkness beneath.

Detective Sergeant Johnson, a seasoned police officer, finds his carefully constructed world crumbling after he kills Kenneth Baxter, a suspected child molester, during a vicious interrogation. As Johnson grapples with the aftermath of his actions, his relationships – particularly with his wife Maureen – deteriorate, exposing the long-simmering tensions and abuses that have defined his life.

Hopkins’ play is a psychological thriller that delves deep into the moral ambiguity of police work and the corrosive effects of violence on the human psyche. Through a series of intense, claustrophobic scenes, the playwright examines themes of masculinity in crisis, abuse of power, and the thin line between justice and vengeance.

The structure of the play, moving between Johnson’s professional and personal spheres, creates a sense of mounting tension and inevitability. As Johnson’s interactions with his wife and superior Chief Inspector Cartwright become increasingly volatile, the audience is forced to confront uncomfortable questions about the nature of justice and the psychological toll of law enforcement.