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Overview

Synopsis

In Brixton, London, on the day of a general women’s strike – The Suffragettes have called a strike after the Government has announced that women do not need votes as they are looked after by men. All the women on strike have headed to their nearest male relative to insist on being supported. In the living room of Horace and Ethel Cole, their house is becoming more and more overrun by female relatives. Horace, an anti-suffragist, is horrified and outraged at the amount of women appearing on his doorstep. As more of his relatives turn up, Horace begins to realize the full impact of women being unable to vote. By the end of the play, he’s changed his ways and rushes to parliament with the other men to demand votes for women! One of the most well-known Suffrage plays, How the Vote Was Won is a staple of historical feminist plays.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
1909
Genres
Drama, Historical/Biographical
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set, Simple/No Set
Time & Place
The living room of Horace & Ethel Cole in Brixton, London, 1909
Cast Size
medium
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Mostly Female Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Horace Cole

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Ethel Cole

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Agatha

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Aunt Lizzie

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Molly

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Madame Christine

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Maudie

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Winnifred

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Lily

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Gerald Williams

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Songs

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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

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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

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Emma Houlahan

Emma Houlahan

Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.