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Overview
Synopsis
London, 1780. And it’s marriage season, but not quite as you know it. Feminism meets an eighteenth-century comedy of manners in Hannah Cowley’s best known play. In two parallel plot-lines, a group of wily women are determined to challenge the status quo and demand the respect they deserve from the men in their lives. First up is Letitia Hardy, an independent young woman who comes up with the ingenious plan of ensnaring the affections of her arranged husband, Doricourt, who is convinced that all English women are dull as dishwater. She is determined to prove him wrong and earn his respect...and desire.
Meanwhile, the young and beautiful Lady Frances Touchwood is forced to live under the strict protection of her insanely jealous husband, Sir George. He tries to keep her sheltered away from the dangers of society, but he hasn’t reckoned upon Miss Ogle and Mrs. Rackett, two fiercely independent women who plan to release Lady Frances into society and let her shine.
The two storylines come to a climax at the masquerade ball, in a colorful and entertaining victory for the women of the play. Hannah Cowley’s witty comedy of manners turns the tables on conventional gender stereotypes, creating a daring parody of fashionable society, marital expectations, and the role of women in the late-eighteenth century.
Show Information
- Book
- Hannah Cowley
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1780
- Genres
- Comedy, Parody
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- London, 1780
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
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
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher