In 1920s Belfast, a country woman takes in her late sister’s children, but a secret from her past threatens their new life.
Following the death of her sister, the unassuming Aunt Suzanne (Stella McCusker) leaves her rural home to move to Belfast. She takes on responsibility for her three nieces and nephews, Daniel (Derek Lord), Mary (Cathy Brennan), and Annie (Joanne Thompson). After an initial period of adjustment, Suzanne’s gentle nature wins over the children and she settles into her new domestic role. However, it becomes clear that she is concealing a painful secret, and its potential discovery jeopardises the stability of the family.
Adapted by Stewart Love from a novel by the celebrated Belfast author Michael McLaverty, this single play is a quiet, atmospheric character piece. The production, from BBC Northern Ireland, uses its 1920s setting not for grand historical statements but as a backdrop for an intimate domestic drama. The central conflict is built around the slow revelation of a hidden past, allowing the narrative to rest on the strength of the performances rather than elaborate plotting.
Broadcast: BBC Two, 1 Episode, 4 January 1984
Adapted by: Stewart Love
From the novel by: Michael McLaverty
Director: Peter Barber-Fleming
Producer: Chris Parr
Main Cast: Stella McCusker (Aunt Suzanne), Derek Lord (Daniel), Cathy Brennan (Mary), Joanne Thompson (Annie), Neil Campbell (Arthur)
