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Overview

Synopsis

When first seen, Alfred Evelyn is resigned to the poverty that has made his days a grind, working as a secretary for his wealthy cousin, Sir John Vesey, and Sir John’s daughter, Georgina, the richest heiress in England. However, Evelyn soon comes into his own fortune but, having been rejected once before, he does not believe that his newfound wealth will gain him the affections of Clara, who is companion to Lady Franklin, Sir John’s sister. Yet Clara's rejection was not for lack of love but because she feared a marriage without money would be a drag on Evelyn’s life, as it was for her father. Now he has wealth, Clara fears that she will drag him down and so she decides to support and help Evelyn, even if she cannot marry him.

Evelyn is almost persuaded by the manipulative Sir John to marry the scatterbrained Georgina but she, while as greedy as her father, much prefers the foppish (but not wealthy) and lisping Sir "Fwedwick" Blount. Evelyn decides to fake his own bankruptcy in an attempt to extract himself from Sir John’s clutches. As the truth finally emerges, Georgina’s relationship with Sir Blount is revealed to her horrified father, and Evelyn realizes that Clara has supported him all along. Sir John is forced to give his blessing to both couples, much to everyone’s happiness. And, lest Lady Franklin be left out of the play’s multiple romantic equations, this woman of a certain age engineers her own romance with the widower, Graves, with whom she enjoys staring into space and discussing the Scottish reel..

Show Information

Book
Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1840
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
London, England, 1840s
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Alfred Evelyn

Lead

Male

Spoken

Sir John Vesey

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Clara Douglas

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Georgina Vesey

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Lady Franklin

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Sir Frederick Blount

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Stout

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Graves

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Sharp

Featured

Male

Spoken

Captain Douglas Smooth

Featured

Male

Spoken

Ensemble

Ensemble

Male

Spoken

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

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

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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:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher