Split Level (TV play)

Split Level is a 1979 television play written by British playwright Alan Ayckbourn. It was originally broadcast as part of the Play for Today series on BBC1.

The play explores the complexities of relationships and social anxieties through the lens of three couples living in adjacent apartments within a newly built, modern split-level building. The story revolves around the interconnected lives of these couples as they navigate marital issues, career pressures, and personal insecurities, often exacerbated by the close proximity of their living arrangements. The split-level design of the apartments becomes a symbolic representation of the fragmented and compartmentalized nature of their lives.

The characters often find themselves overhearing each other's conversations or witnessing events through windows, leading to misunderstandings, suspicions, and comedic situations. The play is a character-driven piece, focusing on the interactions and dialogue between the couples to reveal their vulnerabilities and the underlying tensions within their relationships. While primarily a comedy, Split Level also touches upon deeper themes of alienation, loneliness, and the challenges of modern suburban life.