Play. M4 (young, 30s) Fl (30s). Various simple interior and exterior settings.
Henry has died of AIDS and his lover, Howard, ex-lover Michael and old friend Sheila - along with Michael's new lover, Eamon -travel to Ireland to scatter his ashes. Conflicts and jealousies arise between the members of the group and are exacerbated by the arrival of Patrick, Michael's straight brother, but the ash-scattering ceremony unites them again. Written with insight, humour and great compassion, The Undertaking is a moving and very human play tackling difficult themes with enormous but unobtrusive skill.