William Mudie Larnach is of New Zealand's wealthiest and most powerful colonial politicians. He marries again for the third time only to discover his new wife and his younger son have fallen in love. The atmosphere Larnach sows amongst his grown family is poisonous, but also pitiable. This gripping psychological drama ends with the destruction of Larnach’s dynasty and his own suicide in Wellington's Parliament House.
The play has had several professional productions and offers excellent roles for a large cast.