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Overview
Synopsis
The Rent Day is a classic example of a Victorian, working-class, agrarian melodrama. Tenant farmers work the land on the Grantley estate, which has recently been inherited by young Robert Grantley. Grantley has not yet visited his estate, and the land is governed by Crumbs, a steward with a buried secret. Martin Heywood has also recently inherited, but his tenant farm is struggling and he cannot afford to pay the annual rent. Despite his pleas and the danger of making his young family homeless, Crumbs shows no pity and makes plans to have the farm repossessed. As Martin’s situation grows more desperate, his wife’s virtue is threatened on multiple occasions and the bailiffs arrive to appraise his family home. However, the arrival of a stranger on the Grantley estate and the financial foresight of his late grandfather, may offer the solution to all his problems! The Rent Day is Victorian melodrama at its best, with plenty of opportunities for strong character roles.
Show Information
- Book
- Douglas Jerrold
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1832
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- The English countryside, 1830s
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
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
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Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher