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Overview
Synopsis
Nicky Lancaster is a young pianist newly returned from a spell in decadent and glamorous Parisien society, with some dubious new habits. While he has been gone, his glamorous and self-absorbed mother, Florence, has taken up with Tom, the latest in a succession of lovers half her age. Nicky introduces his mother to Bunty, his fiancée, but the cracks in their relationship are evident from the beginning. As his relationship with Bunty falls apart and his cocaine habit worsens, Nicky confronts his mother over the emptiness and loneliness of her life and blames her for what he has become. The Vortex explores the dark, poisonous side of the fashionable 1920s Cocktail Party set, depicting drug abuse, sexual vanity, gossip, and infidelity.
Show Information
- Book
- Noël Coward
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1924
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- the lancasters' flat in london, the lancasters' country house, 1924
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Noel Coward was inspired to write The Vortex after witnessing the glamorous mother of his friend being rebuked by a young woman in a nightclub for having a young man in town when “she’s old enough to be his mother”. Although the play's depiction of drug abuse was considered shocking amongst 1920s theatre-goers, Nicky’s cocaine habit has been seen by many critics as a metaphor for homosexuality, which was then completely taboo in Britain. Despite (or perhaps because of) its controversial
to read the context for The Vortex and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The play opens in the drawing room of Florence Lancaster’s London flat. Pauncefort Quentin (known as “Pawnie”) and Helen Lancaster are shown in and wait for Florence. While they are alone, they discuss Florence and her relationship with her son, Nicky. They immediately reveal that Florence is an aging beauty with a penchant for younger men who continue to make her feel young. Meanwhile, her son, Nicky, is a talented pianist who, Pawnie believes, will “go on wasting his
to read the plot for The Vortex and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher