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Overview

Synopsis

A small well-to-do, English parish is rocked by gossip and a woman’s reputation teeters on the brink of notoriety and scandal. When James Risby innocently tells his gossiping aunt, Mrs Bulsom-Porter, that he has recognized the newcomer in the parish as someone at the center of a notorious scandal five years previously, Mrs Bulsom-Porter becomes intent on publicly revealing the true identity of Mrs Dane. She believes Mrs Dane to be Miss Hindemarsh, a governess who had an affair with her employer while in Vienna and drove his wife to suicide. But will anyone believe her spiteful gossip? Matters are further complicated as Lionel (Lal) Carteret has fallen in love with Mrs Dane and ardently wishes to marry her. WIth the help of Lady Eastney and his adopted father and talented lawyer, Sir Daniel, Lal is determined to clear Mrs Dane’s name and become her husband. However, his father’s skilful questioning reveals more than Lal was bargaining for.

Henry Arthur Jones’ popular drawing room drama shows sympathy to a young woman caught up in the immoral behavior of an older, dominant man, but ultimately remains true to the strict rules and moral code of Victorian society.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
4
First Produced
1900
Genres
Drama
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Sunningwater, Near London, c.1900
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Sir Daniel Carteret

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Mrs Dane

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Lady Eastney

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Lionel (Lal) Carteret

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Canon Bonsey

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Mr Bulsom-Porter

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Mr James Risby

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Mr Fendick

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Mrs Bulsom-Porter

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Janet Colquhoun

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Adams

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Wilson

Featured

Male

Non-singer

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

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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