Overview
Synopsis
In Brixton, London, on the day of a general women’s strike – The Suffragettes have called a strike after the Government has announced that women do not need votes as they are looked after by men. All the women on strike have headed to their nearest male relative to insist on being supported. In the living room of Horace and Ethel Cole, their house is becoming more and more overrun by female relatives. Horace, an anti-suffragist, is horrified and outraged at the amount of women appearing on his doorstep. As more of his relatives turn up, Horace begins to realize the full impact of women being unable to vote. By the end of the play, he’s changed his ways and rushes to parliament with the other men to demand votes for women! One of the most well-known Suffrage plays, How the Vote Was Won is a staple of historical feminist plays.
Show Information
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1909
- Genres
- Drama, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Period, Unit/Single Set, Simple/No Set
- Time & Place
- The living room of Horace & Ethel Cole in Brixton, London, 1909
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, Mostly Female Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
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
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Emma Houlahan
Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.