A Life by Hugh Leonard is set in Dalkey, present day and during the 1930's.

A composite set consisted of modern day living room, 1930's kitchen and a representation of the bandstand on Dalkey Hill, an actual location, where both present day and flashback scenes were played.

A false perspective in the construction of the side walls of the interiors and a ramped floor downstage were designed to lead the eye ot the exterior bandstand upstage. The upstage interior walls were cut at a sharp angle to further frame the upstage area and improve sightlines.

Surrounding the three sets was a painted backing of the view from Dalkey Hill in a photo-realistic style.