A Game of Snakes and Ladders

This homage to the 19th century novel begins with two young women – Lucy, sturdy and unflappable, and Daisy, charming but self-interested – performing with a theatre company in Egypt after World War. The show closes, and Daisy stays on with a well-to-do businessman while Lucy eagerly plans her return to England. But then she falls seriously ill, then in debt to Daisy’s lover. She finds that Daisy, anxious not to alienate her meal ticket, has rashly promised that Lucy will remain in Egypt and work for him until he’s repaid.