The Glass Menagerie at The Vortex Theatre

The play is introduced to the audience by Tom, the narrator and protagonist, as a memory play based on his recollection of his mother Amanda and his sister Laura. Amanda is obsessed with finding a suitor for Laura, largely because Amanda is so fearful that there will be no one to care for Laura if she doesn't marry. Tom brings a friend, Jim, home to dinner and Jim and Laura talk and reminisce about their high school days together. But Jim is already engaged and will only encourage Laura to become less self-conscious. Amanda's disappointment causes her to lash out at Tom. As Tom speaks at the end of the play, it becomes clear that he left home soon afterward and did not return.