Overview

Synopsis

London magistrate Aeneas Posket is as predictable and dependable as they come. He is good-natured, and something of a pushover--evidenced by his servants hired from the Mulberry Street Police Court. He is also recently married to Agatha, a widow with a teenage son. However, Agatha has been hiding her real age from her husband, and convincing everyone that her boy Cis is only 14, when he is really 19 years old--and (unbeknownst to her) drinking, smoking, gambling, and chasing girls! Unexpectedly, a blast from the past returns to London--a friend who could reveal Agatha’s real age, prompting her to take action in order to keep her secret. At the same time, precocious Cis convinces his stepfather to have a night on the town--an experience the dull Mr. Posket has never had. But a police raid changes their fortunes, and Mr. Posket finds himself scrambling to hide his late night adventures so that he can preserve the integrity of his career. The Magistrate: A Farce in Three Acts was Arthur Wing Pinero’s first success, and often revived to resounding slapstick success.

Show Information

Book
Arthur Wing Pinero
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1885
Genres
Comedy, Farce, Satire
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
London, England, 1880s
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Ensemble Cast, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult Characters, Large Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Aeneas Posket

Lead

Male

Agatha Posket

Lead

Female

Cis Farringdon

Supporting

Male

Charlotte Verrinder

Supporting

Female

Colonel Lukyn

Supporting

Male

Captain Horace Vale

Supporting

Male

Beatie Tomlinson

Supporting

Female

Mr. Bullamy

Supporting

Male

Achille Blond

Supporting

Male

Mr. Wormington

Supporting

Male

Inspector Messiter

Supporting

Male

Wyke

Supporting

Male

Popham

Supporting

Female

Isidore

Featured

Male

Sergeant Lugg

Featured

Male

Constable Harris

Featured

Male

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