In 1860, as an unmarried girl of 17, Lady Slane nurtures a secret, burning ambition – to become an artist. She becomes, instead, the wife of a great statesman, Henry, the first Earl of Slane, and the mother of six children. Seventy years later, released by widowhood, she abandons the family home in Elm Park Gardens much to the dismay of her pompous sons and daughters.

Vita Sackville-West (1892–1962) was a distinguished novelist, poet and critic. Her works include Saint Joan of Arc, English Country Gardens, Family History and Edwardians.

Dame Wendy Hiller's West End debut was observed by George Bernard Shaw and, at his request, she played Saint Joan and Pygmalion. Her films included Major Barbara, A Man For All Seasons, David Copperfiled, Murder on the Orient Express and The Elephant Man. She was awarded an OBE and, for her role in Separate Tables, received an Oscar. She starred in the BBC production of All Passion Spent (and was nominated for a Bafta). Dame Wendy Hiller died in 2003.