The Argument

That's why we shout and scream at each other. Clears the air. A kind of truth begins to emerge. We see clearer.

Pip and Meredith have had a bust-up. It was only about their opinion of a film, but it's led to more significant differences coming to light. Pip has been having an affair for the past three months with a young colleague at work. Meredith's slate doesn't seem to be entirely clean either.

As their families and friends become embroiled in Pip and Meredith's separation, past prejudices, harsh judgements and painful truths come to light. The arguments that ensue go beyond just being about Pip and Meredith, and what they should do about their marriage.

In nine taut scenes, William Boyd explores what it is to argue with those we love - and those we should love. He looks at our propensity to judge others and our power to hurt. Alongside this, he shows how it can sometimes be the superficial problems in a relationship that keep it going.

Both bleak and funny in its tone, The Argument offers a Strindberg-like take on human dynamics and received its world premiere at Hampstead Theatre Downstairs in March 2016.