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Overview

Synopsis

Captain George D’Alroy, who is the son of the Marquise de St. Maur, has fallen in love with a lowly ballet dancer, Esther Eccles. Despite the practical remonstrances from his friend, Captain Hawtree, about the differences in their class and respectability, and the problem of her drunkard father Eccles, George is determined to marry Esther and risk the wrath of his mother and society. This he duly does and the couple set up home in George’s lodgings in Mayfair. However, George has been unable to bring himself to tell Esther that he been commissioned to serve in India and must therefore leave her. Before he can tell her, a surprise visit from his mother forces the truth to come out, whilst also revealing George’s secret marriage.

One year later, Esther is back in her family home, with a baby but without a husband, as George has been reported killed in India. Her father has spent the money George left for her on drink, and she is once again poor and forced to try and get work on the stage. Her sister, Polly, is helping her to bring up the baby but Polly will soon be married to the ambitious tradesman, Sam. Fed up with their penniless lot in life, Esther’s father decides to tell George’s mother about the baby and appeal for money. Esther is horrified when the Marchioness suggests bringing up the baby herself in return for financial assistance, and refuses outright. However, Esther’s plight is soon over as George suddenly appears. He was taken prisoner in India but managed to escape. With the return of her husband, her mother-in-law’s acceptance of their marriage, and Captain Hawtree’s offer to give Eccles a weekly allowance so he can drink himself to death, Esther’s life is back on track.

Show Information

Book
Thomas William Robertson
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1867
Genres
Comedy, Romance
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
England, Nineteenth century
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Esther Eccles

Lead

Female

Spoken

Hon. George D'Alroy

Lead

Male

Spoken

Polly Eccles

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Captain Hawtree

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Eccles

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Sam Gerridge

Supporting

Male

Spoken

Marquise de St. Maur

Supporting

Female

Spoken

Dixon

Featured

Male

Spoken

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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Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher