The play comprises a journey which begins, in the playwright's words, “far from human dignity and peace” and ends 700 years from now with a vision of Brenton's hopes for the future: “how I hope my children, or my children's children's children, will live and think.” The works explore the nature of love, individual relationships, and sexual roles as these relate to issues of power and manipulation. The corrupting power of money, and English complacency and acquiescence, are additional major themes.
