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

Face (Jeremy)

Lead

Male

Spoken

Subtle

Lead

Male

Spoken

Abel Drugger

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Sir Epicure Mammon

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Ananias

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Dol Common

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Lovewit

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Dapper

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Tribulation Wholesome

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Kastril

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Dame Pliant

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Pertinax Surly

Supporting

Male

Spoken

The Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Spoken

Songs

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

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

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher