Gilhooley Came

The unexpected return of a husband to find his wife in a compromising situation with another man is one of the commonest stock situations in drama and comedy alike. Gilhooley's return, however, leads to a conversation piece - sinister elliptical, full of unexpected twists and turns - that tears away the shreds of personality from all three characters in turn as they ally with one another, attack one another and turn about in a constantly shifting relationship. In the end the Lover is reduced to the position of, and accepted as, a son of the wife, tucked in bed and left with her, but not before both she and Gilhooley himself have been pitilessly revealed in all their inadequacy.