Beginning is the first of a proposed trilogy of plays exploring different stages of relationships. It was first presented at the National in October 2017 and subsequently transferred to the West End. The second play Middle opened in October 2022.

Set in the aftermath of Laura’s housewarming party at her new flat in Crouch End, Danny, having attended simply as the ‘plus one’ of a friend, is the last remaining guest. Laura is single, childless and with no immediate family; Danny is divorced, living with his mother, and has not seen his daughter for a number of years.

The play begins with them nearly kissing and charts their journey in real-time as they both seek to get back to that point. While Laura is clear from the outset that she fancies Danny and wants him to stay over, Danny is reluctant to share his true feelings. Over the course of the play, both begin to open up to one another: they dance to Bros, consume fish finger sandwiches and share their mutual loneliness and isolation in the city and where they are in their lives. They’re an unlikely couple but their mutual uncertainty leads to moments of tenderness and humour.