Some of Arnold Wesker’s play made me feel uncomfortable as he appears to be condemning the lack of ambition of the rural Norfolk labouring classes. Even Beatie’s conversations telling her mother what to say, and not to say, in front of Ronnie made me feel that she undervalued her own family in relation to Ronnie’s family. Knowing the real Dusty, I find this hard to believe, unless of course if it were Arnold telling her what to do and the folly of youth and first love or indeed the playwright’s artistic licence. 

The final act sees the whole family wearing their Sunday Best, the table laid with trifle and culinary treats, gathered to welcome Ronnie. As well as Jimmy and Jenny, their brother Frank (Billy Howle) is there with his wife Pearl (Ellora Torchia). We see Frank is not earning his living from the land. There is much to amuse in all three acts but this third act feels the most powerful as it sees the culmination of Beatie’s confidence as she starts to find her own voice through an impassioned speech about working class culture and its inadequacy to create a climate of change.

Diyan Zora makes a good job of directing this 1958 play but I shall always remember Arnold Wesker for his resentment at not being as famous as Harold Pinter.