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Overview

Synopsis

Sweet-natured Lotty Wilton is suffering depression from the bleak London winter, and from an oppressive relationship with her pompous solicitor husband. When she sees an advertisement in the paper to rent a castle in Italy for the month of April, an idyllic spot “for those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine,” she jumps at the chance to escape her downtrodden existence. Sensing an instant kinship with fellow housewife Rose Arnott, a severely angelic woman with sorrows of her own, Lotty persuades her along on the adventure. Seeking to reduce the costs, the two ladies find Caroline Bramble, a beautiful and exhausted socialite, and Mrs. Graves, an overbearing widow, to round out the party. As the month passes, verdant sun-drenched San Salvatore works its magic on each sad and hardened heart, healing grief and bringing hope. And with the arrival of two chastened husbands and one attractive young artist, romance blooms again. Matthew Barber’s Enchanted April, based on Elizabeth Von Arnim’s beloved novel of the 1920s, is a gentle and romantic comedy of manners. Against the backdrop of a country still reeling from World War I, Enchanted April offers to its characters, and viewers, a necessary balm of sunshine and renewal.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2003
Genres
Comedy, Romance
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings, Simple/No Set
Time & Place
1922, london, england, mezzago, italy
Cast Size
medium
Ideal For
Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Caroline Bramble

Lead

Female

Spoken

Mrs. Graves

Lead

Female

Spoken

Lotty Wilton

Lead

Female

Spoken

Rose Arnott

Lead

Female

Spoken

Mellersh Wilton

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Anthony Wilding

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Costanza

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Frederick Arnott

Supporting

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

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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

    A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.

    A type of comedy, popular in the English Restoration, that made fun of social norms and mores.

    Also called "The Great War," a conflict between the Central Powers (including Germany and the Austria-Hungary Empire, among others) against the Allied Powers (including England, France, the United States, and others). The war began with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo in 1914, and lasted until the Armistice of November 11, 1918.

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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