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Overview

Synopsis

In 1860, George Eliot (real name Mary Ann Evans) published her novel The Mill on the Floss. It is the story of Maggie Tulliver, an impulsive and free-spirited girl utterly devoted to her brother Tom and desperate for the approval of her family. In 1994, Helen Edmundon’s adaptation of this incredible novel premiered at Shared Experience in London to rave reviews.

Along the river Floss, not far from St. Ogg’s, the Tulliver family lives and works at Dorlcote Mill. Young Maggie follows Tom whenever and wherever she can, while he flips between affection and judgment at her--when all she wants is his love. Throughout the story, spanning about ten years, Maggie searches for happiness: first, as a precocious child; then, as a restrained young teen; and finally, a passionate young woman. Helen Edmundson’s clever retelling of this classic novel uses three versions of Maggie, intertwining to reveal the complexity of her mind and heart, set against dramatic and experimental techniques that highlight the symbolism of a woman deemed out of her depth, a woman drowning in the rigid and moralistic society of Victorian England, a woman who is awash in love but with no one she can anchor herself to. With compelling characters and poetic storytelling, The Mill on the Floss brings Eliot’s Victorian-era novel into modern-day relevance.

Show Information

Based on the Play/Book/Film
Adapted from the novel The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
1994
Genres
Drama
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings, Simple/No Set
Time & Place
England, Lincolnshire, 1830s
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
None
Dancing
None
Licensor
Nick Hern Book
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Child, Early Teen, Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Large Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

First Maggie

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Second Maggie

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Third Maggie

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Tom Tulliver

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Mr. Tulliver

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Mrs. Tulliver

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Phillip Wakem

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Lucy Deane

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Stephen Guest

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Bob Jakin

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Aunt Glegg

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Uncle Glegg

Supporting

Male

Aunt Pullet

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Uncle Pullet

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Dr. Kenn

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Mr. Stelling

Supporting

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

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress