The credit crunch hasn’t done Gerald Roth any favours. The proprietor of Grapes of Roth, an upmarket wine merchant in a downmarket neighbourhood, his business is dying faster than he can say Maximin Grunhauser Abtsberg Kabinett 2008.

Then fate throws Gerald a lifeline. He discovers that his old watch, left to him by his father, is surprisingly valuable. If he sold it at auction his money troubles could be over. Unfortunately, the reason his watch is so collectable is that it was once owned by Hitler’s Foreign Minister, Joachim von Ribbentrop, whose initials are engraved inside the case, alongside the sweetest little Swastika.

Gerald’s secret dilemma emerges over out that he isn’t the only Roth with something to hide...

The show was inspried by Laurence Marks' very real discovery of the watch.  For the incredible story, covered by the Mail on Sunday, click here.

Olivier Award nominees Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran’s previous work includes the much loved comedies Birds of a Feather and The New Statesman and the long-running TV drama series Love Hurts and Shine on Harvey Moon.

Directed by the Palace’s Brigid Larmour (Absent Friends, My Mother Said I Never Should, Mrs Reynolds and The Ruffian), it’s a treat for Watford Palace to be supporting the world-premiere production of this tremendous new play.