Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
London’s St. James’ Park is known as a midnight meeting place for young lovers. Honorable women wear masks to play coy with the gallant rakes who try to seduce them. In this world of secret trysts, a battle of the sexes plays out. Ranger is engaged to Lydia, but begins to pursue her friend Christina, who is engaged to Valentine. Mr. Dapperwit once seduced Martha Gripe, but now is after Lucy Crossbite--a young woman now promised to Martha’s father. Mr. Gripe’s sister, the widow Lady Flippant, just wants a man with money. And Sir Simon Addleplot hopes to land a rich wife by the time the curtain falls. At the center of all these dealings is Mrs. Joyner, the resident matchmaker. William Wycherley’s Love in a Wood, or St. James’ Park is a classic English Restoration comedy of manners. The ladies are clever, the men are foppish, and somehow love and honor prevail.
Show Information
- Book
- William Wycherley
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1671
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- 1670s, London
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Male |
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Lead |
Male |
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Lead |
Male |
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Lead |
Female |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Ensemble |
Either Gender |
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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
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Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress