With both plays being written by Simon Gray and directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, there are several thematic connections. Not least is the fact that the plays share seven members of the same cast, and with the same character names used, albeit transposed: Alan Bates plays "Peter" in this edition, and "Charles" in the latter; the same applies for Dinsdale Landen. However, the characters, while sharing similar traits, are different people in each play.