The ageing William Shakespeare has retreated to Warwickshire in search of an elusive inner peace. Disillusioned by human cruelty he is further dismayed to find the greed and injustices that drove him from London to Stratford are as prevalent in his rural retreat as they were in the capital.

A powerful black comedy set during the Ulster Workers' Council strike of 1974.

The mighty Greek army restlessly waits for a fair wind to embark on an expedition to Troy. There they will wreak a terrible vengeance on the 'barbarians' for kidnapping Menelaus' wife, Helen. But there is no wind and the priest Calchas says that a human sacrifice is needed to placate the gods.