In the 1970s, as a young writer, Pam Gems wrote Dusa, Fish, Stas and Vi; a celebration and exploration of the dilemmas that the new women were grappling with, especially the problems of love and commitment, as opposed to independence.

It was the one of the first feminist plays of the post 60s era to be a critical, literary and commercial success.

Despatches deals with the same dilemmas but from the perspective of now. How do women and men get on as equals? Do they? What happens to love? And who looks after the children? What has been lost? What gained?

Now writing in her 80s Pam Gems has no time for mealy-mouthed political correctness. As she dissects the situation and drives us to laughter and possibly outrage, she never fails to make us think!

Natalya kisses Ebba on the mouth.

Ebba: What did you do that for?

Natalya: Are you not in love with me?

Ebba: No! Did you think I was gay? Homosexual?

Natalya: Homosexual, heterosexual, what is the difference?

Ebba: You mean you'll sleep with anybody?

Natalya: (Makes a hole with finger and thumb, puts in her index finger) Not important.