001 - Act 1

Exiles, a captivating play by James Joyce, is often overshadowed by his renowned novels. Initially rejected by W. B. Yeats for production at the Abbey Theatre, it finally found its voice in 1970 when Harold Pinter brought it to life at the Mermaid Theatre in London. The story revolves around a complex love triangle involving Richard Rowan, a Dublin writer returning from exile in Rome, his common-law wife Bertha, and his old friend Robert Hand, a journalist. The narrative draws intriguing parallels to Joyces own life, reflecting his experiences with Nora Barnacle in Trieste and mirroring the dynamics of friendships shared with Oliver St. John Gogarty and Vincent Cosgrave. The plot thickens with another love triangle featuring Rowan, Hand, and Hands cousin Beatrice Justice, adding layers of tension and emotion. - Summary by Wikipedia