(Theatre, defunkt theatre, 2012) Set in a North London house occupied by an all-male family, the oppressive patriarch Max rules alongside his gentle brother Sam. The volatile household includes Max’s two sons, Lenny and Joey, each vying for dominance. The dynamic shifts with the arrival of Teddy, Max's eldest son, who brings his wife, Ruth, home for their first family visit since their marriage.

Ruth quickly perceives the competitive tension between Max and his sons, provoking them as they engage in taunts about their sexual exploits. Soon, Max and Lenny devise a scheme to keep Ruth in London, suggesting she earn her keep as a prostitute. In a desperate move, Teddy decides to return to America, leaving Ruth behind. The play concludes with Ruth gaining the upper hand, as she stands over her subdued in-laws.

Playwright: Harold Pinter

Director: Paul Angelo

Producer: defunkt theatre

Pictured: Grace Carter, Blaine Palmer, David Bellis-Squires, and William Wilson

Photography: Holly Andres (poster) and Stephen Miller (stage photos)