A Marie Antoinette of the slums, Elizabeth Gordon Quinn refuses to learn how to be poor, priding herself on the piano which sets her apart from her working-class neighbours, even though she cannot afford to eat.

It's 1915 and there's a war on. When the entire city rises up in defiance of the government and goes on rent strike, Elizabeth stands alone.  What price will she and her family have to pay for her individual stance?

First produced at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, 29th June 1985, directed by Stephen Unwin and designed by Dermot Hayes. The cast was Eileen Nicholas (Elizabeth Gordon Quinn), Ralph Riach (William), Duncan Bell (Aidan), Frances Lonergan (Maura), Irene Macdougall (Mrs Shaw), Carol Ann Crawford (Mrs Black), Bernard Doherty (Doolan / Brogan / Sergeant) and Simon Donald (Dolan / McCorquindale / Private)

First performed in a revised version by the National Theatre of Scotland,  27th April, 2006, directed by John Tiffany and designed by Neil Warmington.  The cast was Cara Kelly (Elizabeth Gordon Quinn), Billy McColl (William), Robin Laing (Aidan), Lesley Hart (Maura), Pauline Goldsmith (Mrs Cunningham), Myra McFadyen (Mrs Black), John Ramage (Special Branch Officer/Sheriff's Officer/ Coalman /RSM), Antony Strachan (Dolan / Brogan / Sergeant) and John Kielty (Haggerty / McCorquondale)

Elizabeth Gordon Quinn - Author Comment