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Overview

Synopsis

Henry Arthur Jones’ successful Edwardian comedy asks the fundamental question: can we cure ourselves of our bad habits? It is New Years Day at Dolly and Harry Telfer’s country house and they are entertaining their invited guests. It immediately becomes clear that Dolly’s cousin, Captain Lucas Wentworth, is engaged in a flirtation with Dolly’s married friend, Renie. Realizing the potential for scandal and eager to extricate herself from any flawed behavior, Dolly comes down hard on the couple and forces them to end their liaison. However, while she holds the moral high ground, it is revealed that Dolly is not completely flawless. Her vice is of another nature: debt. Dolly is a spendthrift who cannot stop herself from mounting up huge piles of unpaid bills. And her husband cannot help but forgive her. Can any of the characters mend their ways over the course of a year? Henry Arthur Jones’ provides a deft character study of a family bound up in the strict moral standards of post-Victorian society.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
4
First Produced
1908
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
The drawing room of Dolly and Harry Telfer, Surrey, England, 1907-1908
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Dolly Telfer

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Matthew Barron

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Harry Telfer

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Captain Lucas Wentworth

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Professor Sturgess

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

The Rev. James Pilcher

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Mrs Renie Sturgess

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Criddle

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Peters

Featured

Female

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

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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