The work was written in 1959 and first presented in 1962 in Italy, at the Spoleto festival. In 1968, a film was made directed by Joseph Losey, featuring Tallulah Bankhead as the eccentric Mrs. Goforth and Tab Hunter as the arriviste Chris Flanders.

The story unfolds in post-war Capri, where the elderly millionaire Mrs. Goforth receives a visit at her villa from a not-so-young gigolo, Chris Flanders. The warnings from her secretary Blackie and her friend the Witch of Capri not to meet the young man do not convince Mrs. Goforth and lead her into the arms of her Last Visitor.

[Excerpt from the publisher's presentation text or edition]