Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
It is seventeenth-century London and the capital has been hit by an outbreak of the plague. Wealthy resident, Lovewit, flees to the country, leaving his townhouse in the hands of his trusted butler, Jeremy (known throughout the play as ‘Face’). No sooner has his master left, Jeremy begins turning the house into a den of criminal activity. Assuming the persona of ‘Face’, he brings in fellow conman, Subtle, and prostitute, Dol Common, to help him and sets out to rip-off half of London. Soon every knock at the front door is another unwitting victim quick to be relieved of their money. However, when Sir Epicure Mammon arrives, eager to seek out the Philosopher’s Stone, he brings with him a most unwelcome guest: Pertinax Surly. Surly by name and surly by nature, he becomes Face and Subtle’s nemesis, determined to unmask the con men and reveal them for the fraudsters they are. With a stash of gold, a rich widow and Lovewit’s unexpected reappearance, Face and Subtle’s scams suddenly get much more complicated. Face’s quick thinking leaves him with his job and livelihood intact, unlike Subtle and Dol who are forced to flee over the back wall…..without any gold….
Show Information
- Book
- Ben Jonson
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1610
- Genres
- Comedy, Farce, Satire
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- London, Seventeenth Century
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
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