A
radio play by
Tom Stoppard, first broadcast on 28 January 1970. It is set at a school
reunion dinner in the present day and a school
dinner a generation ago (actually 1969 and 1945, but the earlier one has only passing references to the War so it isn't too irrevocably dated). Action switches seamlessly between times, with only context to distinguish them.
When they were boys they were nicknamed Groucho, Chico, and Harpo; now they're Marks, Brindley, and Gale, but after all these years there's some confusion over who had what nickname. One of them never speaks. In fact everyone's recollection about what happened at school is poor, and there's even some question over one guest whether he's at the right reunion at all. And they drink a bit.
There is a contrast between the somewhat forced bonhomie of the reunion setting, and their memories of the petty terrors and humiliations of school life; and a reminder that it is still going on. The play is a comedy, but with an unpleasant taste.