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Overview

Synopsis

Set during the American Revolutionary War, The Devil’s Disciple follows Richard ‘Dick’ Dudgeon, the rakish reprobate of the play’s title who finds himself an unlikely hero. In Websterbridge, New Hampshire, Richard’s wild ways contrast sharply with the Puritanical piety of the townspeople. His family disowns him, his mother curses him -- not that Richard minds in the least. Only Anthony Anderson, the affable, open-minded Presbyterian minister, welcomes him into his home, much to his Judith, his wife’s, disapproval. When British soldiers arrive to arrest the clergyman, Richard finds himself willingly taking Anderson’s place at the gallows. To his -- and everyone else’s -- surprise, the “Devil’s Disciple” may have a hero in him yet. The Devil’s Disciple was Shaw’s first major theatrical success. Filled with Shaw’s classic wit and paradoxical characters, the play continues to amuse, provoke, and surprise audiences over a hundred years later.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1897
Genres
Drama
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Websterbridge, New Hampshire, 1777
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Late Teen, Young Adult Characters, Large Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Richard "Dick" Dudgeon

Lead

Male

Spoken

Judith Anderson

Lead

Female

Spoken

Anthony Anderson

Lead

Male

Spoken

Anne Dudgeon

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Christopher "Christy" Dudgeon

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Essie

Supporting

Female

Spoken

General Burgoyne

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Major Swindon

Supporting

Male

Spoken

A Sergeant

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Lawyer Hawkins

Featured

Male

Spoken

Uncle William Dudgeon

Featured

Male

Spoken

Uncle Titus Dudgeon

Featured

Male

Spoken

Mrs. William Dudgeon

Featured

Female

Spoken

Mrs. Titus Dudgeon

Featured

Female

Spoken

Rev. Mr. Brudenell

Featured

Male

Spoken

Soldiers

Ensemble

Male

Silent

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

    The revolt of the American colonies against Great Britain, beginning in 1775 with the Battles of Lexington and Concord and ending at Yorktown in 1781.

    A central character who does not have traditional heroic attributes.

    A contradictory statement, often absurd and implausible, but is found to be true.

    Description of material not protected by copyright law.

    Wit

    A natural aptitude for using words and ideas in a quick and inventive way to create humor.

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