HALFWAY UP THE TREE

by Ustinov, Peter

After some years of army service in the Malayan jungle, General Sir Mallalieu Fitzbuttress returns home to face a series of domestic crises. His son Robert who has been sent down from Oxford, has become something of a dropout and his daughter Judy is more than somewhat pregnant! Add to this collection an au pair girl who is willing to jump into bed with any man who takes her fancy and we are left with the poor general’s wife in the depths of despair. The General’s reaction subverts all expectations and he refuses to be outraged, much to the infuriation of his family. He adopts the attitude - if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, finally deciding to live up a tree in his garden and descending from time to time to take part in family arguments. A stimulating and sophisticated comedy.