Synopsis

An art gallery and various London settings, 1990s. The worlds of high finance and contemporary art collide against a backdrop of post-Cold War uncertainty.

Biddy Andreas, a wealthy but unfulfilled English woman, finds herself drawn into the tumultuous world of contemporary art as her Greek husband Yoyo pursues social status through collecting. Their lives intersect with those of Stephen Ryle, a disillusioned landscape painter, and a cast of art world figures including the ambitious gallerist Jeremy and his assistant Julia.

Wertenbaker’s play is a scathing examination of cultural value and social aspiration in a rapidly changing Britain. Through a series of interconnected vignettes, the playwright explores themes of authenticity, commodification of art, and the legacy of Empire in the wake of Thatcherism. The art world becomes a microcosm for larger societal shifts, with characters grappling with questions of identity and purpose in a world where traditional markers of status are being upended.

The play’s structure, moving between gallery openings, private conversations, and Stephen’s rural studio, creates a kaleidoscopic view of 1990s Britain. Wertenbaker’s writing is laden with with wit and insight, exposing the pretensions and vulnerabilities of characters caught between old and new social orders. As the narrative unfolds, deeper questions emerge about the role of art in society and the moral compromises made in pursuit of status and wealth.