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Overview
Synopsis
Noel Coward’s first play (written when he was just 19) centers around the Dermott family, who live in a large house in the English countryside. Mrs Dermott has been recently widowed and she has discovered that there is very little money to keep the house and futures of her five children secure. Her children - Oliver, Evangeline, Sylvia, Bobbie, and Joyce - have led luxurious, indolent lives and show no signs of any ambition. In despair, Mrs Dermott has written to her brother, Daniel, who lives in South America where he is believed to own a mine. He arrives with the news that he only has three years to live and has decided to leave his fortune to whichever niece or nephew can establish the most successful career from scratch. Eighteen months later, all five have risen to the challenge after being secretly reassured that Daniel has chosen them to inherit his money. However, when Daniel reveals that he is not dying after all and has no money to his name, the siblings realize they have been duped. Indignation soon turns to gratitude as they each realize that without his influence, none of them would have found their way in life or be the successes they have become.
Show Information
- Book
- Noël Coward
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1920
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Mulberry Manor, England, 1920
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Female |
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
Description of material not protected by copyright law.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher