The Nightingale and Not the Lark

Mamie, the caretaker of a performing hall, lives in its dusty attic. Taking little care of the building and less of herself, she spends most of her time and money on whiskey and cigarettes. Mamie hears "Romeo and Juliet" which is being performed and it brings back happy and sad memories. In an alcoholic haze-- she talks of their days in the theatre to her husband, Owen-- rails at him for leaving her for another woman and is torn between hating and loving him. Then Janet, the assistant stage manager, who's had to listen to her drunken ramblings, realizes Owen is a figment of Mamie's imagination-- having been killed in the Blitz. In the end, Mamie is left alone to take her final curtain call.