An impatient heiress Stella and her gambling husband Toby are penniless, but they manage to live elegantly enough sponging off their high society friends. As the play opens they are outstaying their welcome in the Lloyd-Ransomes' villa on the Côte d'Azur. But as Toby has no luck in the casino, their bridge debts are becoming unmanageable and the last of their jewellery is pawned, something very melodramatic needs to occur for them to get away with it this time. 'Ways and Means' is a short play from 'Tonight at 8.30', a series of ten plays, ranging from farce to melodrama to romantic comedy. After touring, 'Tonight at 8.30' was produced at the Phoenix Theatre in London in 1936.