'The Griffiths are hosting a dinner party for George's work colleagues and his boss who is expected to offer George a partnership. A toad appears, unmoving, in the hall and is left there as an omen. Couple by couple the guests cry off leaving the parents, their son and his new girlfriend and the 'help' who is expecting her first grandchild. The daughter arrives, fleeing from her husband.' (Source: Helen Haenke Plays Table - Fryer Library, University of Queensland)
Characters
Bart Griffith: about 25.
George: Bart's father, 49.
Lenore: Bart's mother.
Cecily: Bart's sister, married, younger than Bart.
Joanna: Bart's girlfriend, younger than Cecily.
Mrs Foss: the 'help', a handsome widow.
Set
A broad shallow set: the hallway of a suburban home. Front door visible L at an angle to the hall. Two other doors along back, LC and C lead to sitting-room and dining-room kitchen respectively. To R. a stair goes up. Below the stair, a telephone on a small table with flowers, a chair beside it.On floor, front, opposite door C, is a small toad. No other furniture is needed, but anything added should be good rather than opulent.
