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Overview
Synopsis
When the jealous Mrs. Oakley intercepts a letter addressed to her husband, Mr. Oakley, she assumes he is having an affair. In reality, the letter is from Henry Russet, a concerned father, accusing Mr. Oakley’s nephew, Charles Oakley, of having eloped with Russet’s daughter, Harriet. Charles insists that he has not eloped with Harriet and that she has taken refuge at her aunt, Lady Freelove’s house to avoid her impending arranged marriage to Sir Henry Beagle. However, with Mrs. Oakley still convinced her husband is having an affair, accusations quickly spiral out of control. The Jealous Wife is a restoration comedy by George Colman the Elder that is full of quick-witted jokes and lots of colorful characters.
This guide reflects the three-act edition of The Jealous Wife by Geroge Colman, the Elder.
Show Information
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1761
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- The Oakley household and the Freelove household, England, 1700s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Young Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
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
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Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Emma Houlahan
Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.