Andrey will hopefully return soon. He has left a grumpy father who is losing control of his faculties, and a sister who is devoting her entire dreary life to the care and keeping of her uncaring and unkempt father.
Andrey has a friend, Pierre, who is not involved in the war. He has remained in Moscow, living with a wife, Helene, who he basically detests, drinking himself to oblivion, and wallowing in self-pity.
Helene, has lovers of her own and has no inclination to enjoy her husband. She has a brother, Anatole, living in Moscow, who is an absolute rake, always looking for women to enjoy. He, too, is unhappily married, anxious to find romance wherever he can. Into this dismal group come Natasha and her cousin, Sonya.
They are best friends, outwardly sunny and happy. This is not family match made in heaven. The father decides at first glance that he does not like Natasha.
The setting at first glance is like entering into a lavish Russian home, only to find that the stage is completely surrounded by audience. The cast and musicians wandered on and off the stage, out into the audience, winking as some, singing and playing instruments as if they were enjoying an evening at a Russian cabaret.
