THE STORY: The scene is an unpretentious London flat, where four young women, on their own for various reasons, have thrown in together. Dusa, who returns as the play begins, laments the loss of her children, who have been abducted by her estranged husband; Fish, an upper-class intellectual and “women’s libber,” finds herself rejected by the one man she can truly love; Stas, a nurse and part-time hustler, regards men—and life—with a cynicism so bitter as to be suspect; while Vi, a zany “flower child,” withdraws into Zen, pills and starvation diets. In a series of revealing, inventive scenes, sometimes hilarious, sometimes deeply affecting, the four endeavor to help each other in pulling their lives together and in finding the sense of purpose and individuality which can so easily elude women in contemporary society. The end result, like life itself, is mixed—a degree of success for three of the friends and tragedy for the fourth.
This remarkable and highly regarded play deals with four young women who, for various reasons, are living apart from their lovers or husbands, while trying to pull together the shattered strands of their lives.
“I am overwhelmed…the cumulative fury and force of the play and the wit discovered on the journey there make this a joyful occasion.” —The Guardian (UK).
“…a funny, sparkling and vivacious play.” —Evening Standard (London).
“Miss Gems offers insight, comedy and delicately observed portraits.” —The Times (London).
