Synopsis

London, 1970s. A sparsely furnished flat becomes the stage for a caustic battle of wits and wills.

Ann, caught between two men, navigates the treacherous waters of love, loyalty, and self-discovery. Her tumultuous relationship with the acerbic, philandering journalist Dave has just ended, and she’s sought refuge in the arms of the mild-mannered Patrick. But when Dave crashes back into their lives, the delicate balance is shattered, forcing Ann to confront her desires and the men who embody them.

Hampton’s razor-sharp dialogue crackles with wit and barely concealed venom as the trio dance around each other, alternating between vicious verbal sparring and moments of raw vulnerability. Through a series of tense encounters, the play explores themes of emotional manipulation, gender dynamics, and the struggle for personal identity in a changing world. The claustrophobic setting amplifies the characters’ psychological warfare, with seemingly innocuous objects—a rug, a chair, a record—becoming loaded symbols of power and possession. Treats offers a biting commentary on the complexities of modern relationships, asking whether true connection is possible in a world of shifting loyalties and self-interest.