This play does have Cinderella and a Godmother, Royalty, and glass slippers, but it takes place in WW1 and is certainly not your typical fairy tale! Produced on Broadway in 1916, it was made into a silent movie in 1925. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list : Mr. Bodie: Peter Yearsley Policeman: ToddHW Cinderella: VivianWeaver Gentleman: Mike Harris Mrs. Maloney: Michele Eaton Marion: Amy Deuchler Man: Tomas Peter Marie-Therese: April6090 Gladys: Leanne Yau Delphine: Lydia Godmother: Beth Thomas Lord Mayor:...

The success of “The Magistrate” was immediate, and the Court Theatre was crowded night after night for more than a year, the play being presented over 300 times. So prosperous was the run that there was no cessation during the Summer holiday season. This success, however, was not confined to London, for three companies were soon carrying the play triumphantly over the English provinces, while in September 1885 Mr. Pinero went to New York to produce his work. How can you resist a comedy whose...

"Welcome to all! We show the story of how, nearly three hundred years ago, when this country was not so happy as it is now, some people driven by persecution out of England went on a long and dangerous voyage in a ship called the Mayflower, and made for themselves a home across the Atlantic Ocean." Cast List: Stage Directions read by MaryAnnMaster William Brewster: SpiderScientistMaster William Bradford: ToddHWMaster John Carver: aravagarwalMaster John Alden: JamesMcAndrewMaster John Robinson: Alex...

Dumas's play talks of American Naval Hero John Paul Jones's romantic entanglements and affairs of honor ashore in France. He later converted it to a novel. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: The Marquis D'Auray: Amy Gramour The Marchioness, his wife: Sonia Count Emanuel, their child: Tomas Peter Margaret, their child: Leanne Yau Baron De Lectoure: Nemo Paul Jones: ToddHW Louis Achard: Thomas A. Copeland Mr. De La Jarry: Roger Melin Mr. De Nozay: RecordingPerson Notary: Zames Curran Laffeuille, valet to the Marchioness: Son of the Exiles Jasmin, valet to Emanuel: Eva Davis Stage Directions: Sandra Schmit Edited by: ToddHW

The second of Pinero's farces, following the wildly successful The Magistrate, and likewise a hit. The Schoolmistress has a secret: "Think of the deception I am practising upon dear Vere! Think of the people who believe in the rigid austerity of Caroline Dyott, Principal of Volumnia College. Think of the precious confidence reposed in me by the parents and relations of twenty-seven innocent pupils. Give an average of eight and a half relations to each pupil; multiply eight and a half by twenty-seven and you approximate the number whose trust I betray this night!" The three acts are subtitled 1 - The Mystery, 2 - The Party, and 3 - The Nightmare...

In 1661 and 1662 Moliere presented the plays The School for Husbands and then The School for Wives. "The central situations of the two have much in common: the arbitrary and jealous lover to whom circumstances have given almost the authority of a husband: the simple ward rescued from physical constraint by the unfettered cunning of love." In between writing the two plays he got married. Listen to both and see if this comedic genius of the farce changed his attitude. - Summary by ToddHW and The Translator Cast...

In 1661 and 1662 Moliere presented the plays The School for Husbands and then The School for Wives . "The central situations of the two have much in common: the arbitrary and jealous lover to whom circumstances have given almost the authority of a husband: the simple ward rescued from physical constraint by the unfettered cunning of love." In between writing the two plays Moliere got married. Listen to both and see if this comedic genius of the farce changed his attitude. - Summary by ToddHW and...

Tenth volume of one-act plays in the public domain read by a variety of members. Mosada Narrator: Availle Mosada: Sonia Ebremar: Tomas Peter Cola: Charlotte Duckett First Inquisitor: Anusha Iyer Second Inquisitor: Michele Eaton First Monk: KHand Second Monk: Chuck Williamson The Belles of Canterbury Narrator: Kalynda Freshman:Twinkle Sophomore: DrPGould Junior: TJ Burns Senior:Leanne Yau Wife of Bath: Sonia Prioress: KHand First Nun: Michele Eaton Second Nun: Tomas Peter Emily: Eva Davis Hippolyta:...

The setup here is that Moliere and his troupe have been sent for by the King to come perform at Versailles. But instead of the piece they had prepared, the King has just asked for an entirely new piece - to be ready later that same day! So all the action of the play takes place backstage as Moliere has to come up with a story and the troupe has to select and prepare roles in a mad panic. Many of the comments in the banter between actors concern personages from Moliere's time - we don't necessarily know them but the biting of the satire still comes clearly through...

Alceste, the misanthrope, hates everyone including himself. But unlike in many pure farces with their cliche stock characters, the characters here are much more well rounded, and who knows - Alceste might actually grow and change throughout the play. "Those who admired noble thoughts, select language, accurate deliniations of character, and a perfect and entertaining style, placed this comedy from the very beginning where it is generally put, with the common consent of all students of sound literature, in the foremost rank of the good comedies of Moliere...

An inferior devil, Pug, asks Satan to send him to Earth to tempt men to Evil. But when Pug arrives in 1616 London and sets himself at the Squire Fabian Fitzdottrel, he finds Fabian currently beset by con men, cheats, connivers, thieves, villains, and seductresses - a delightful mix of cunning criminality in a world that already has far more vice in it than anything Pug is prepared to offer. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Satan, the great Devil: alanmapstone Pug, the less Devil: Sonia Iniquity, the...

The monologue is a character study in little; the apotheosis of a chosen individuality. All the little studies in this book have stood the test of trial before varied audiences. - Summary by Marjorie Benton Cooke, Author Edited by: Eva Davis and linny Cast : Sketch 5 - What the janitor heard Stage Directions: Eva DavisMrs Northrup, Hulda: Linda Olsen FitakMr Reynolds: NemoBobby: Tomas Peter Sketch 9 - When shades assemble Stage Directions: Tomas PeterLady Macbeth, Portia: Linda Olsen FitakJuliet:...

"The refined and fashionable audiences who... used to applaud the play of Mademoiselle de Belle Isle… would, in all probability, have objected to an English version of Dumas' clever play, upon the score of its immorality. It is not for me to determine whether the aristocratic audiences at the St James Theater did not understand what they heard, or whether the French language has a special charm for rendering inoffensive what plain English fails to recommend." - Summary by The Translator Cast list: The...

This play was produced in 1698 at Drury Lane Theatre. From the bustle of its plot, the variety of its incidents, and the sustained humour of its dialogue, it met with so favourable a reception that Farquhar henceforth devoted himself to writing for the stage. - Summary by Alex. Charles Ewald Cast list: Roebuck, an Irish Gentleman, of a wild roving temper, newly come to London: Algy Pug Lovewell, his friend, sober and modest, in love with Lucinda: ToddHW Mockmode, a young Squire, come newly from...

“Dandy Dick” was the third of the farces which Mr. Pinero wrote for the old Court Theatre—a series of plays which, besides giving playgoers a fresh source of laughter, and the English stage a new order of comic play, brought plentiful prosperity to the joint management of Mr. Arthur Cecil and the late Mr. John Clayton. - Summary by Cast list: The Very Reverend Augustin Jedd, DD, Dean of St Marvells: ToddHW Sir Tristram Mardon, Bart: Son of the Exiles Major Tarver, -th Hussars, quartered at Durnstone near St Marvells: Craig Franklin Mr...

The Physician In Spite of Himself … is written in a most unbounded spirit of mirth, the matrimonial breezes wafting a certain amount of refreshing coolness throughout it all. The way in which Sganarelle is dubbed, or rather drubbed a doctor, is highly amusing; and the cure of the dumb girl, and the use which she makes of her recovered speech, contains a philosophical lesson which may be sometimes applied to the way in which nouveaux riches spread their newly acquired wealth. The learned and anatomical disquisitions between Sganarelle and Geronte are also very entertaining, as well as the growth of greed in the rustic physician...

Aubrey Tanqueray marries a woman with a past which he believes will not matter in society. "I know you think me a fool, Cayley—you needn't infer that I'm a coward into the bargain. No! I know what I'm doing, and I do it deliberately, defiantly. I'm alone; I injure no living soul by the step I'm going to take; and so you can't urge the one argument which might restrain me. Of course, I don't expect you to think compassionately, fairly even, of the woman whom I—whom I am drawn to— [] Thanks. I've heard you say that from forty till fifty a man is at heart either a stoic or a satyr...

Four most fashionable doctors are called in by Sganarelle to cure his daughter, but instead they argue about everything and Sganarelle is driven to the streets where he finds a quack and his daughter's disguised lover. Moliere: "This is only a slight impromptu, a simple pencil sketch, which it has pleased the King to have made into an entertainment. It is the most hastily composed of all those written by order of his Majesty; and when I say that it was sketched, written, learned, and acted in five days, I shall only be speaking the truth...

"This comedy was produced at Drury Lane on December 14, 1702. It is the most accurate of all Farquhar's productions. The plot, though improbable, is well constructed and sustained, the dialogue lively and entertaining, whilst the characters of the Younger Wouldbe, Mrs. Mandrake, and Teague are so naturally drawn as to appear real personages, dependent little upon the art of the actor or the imagination of the author for their creation." Note that there is an attempted rape in the play, which gets downplayed - the woman even partially blames herself, saying "this late adventure has taught me how dangerous it is to provoke a gentle man by ill usage...

"Owing to the appreciation which has been accorded to my three series of "Stories from the Operas," it has been decided to re-issue the collection in one volume, and to include in this additional stories of new and popular operas recently produced in England.The plan of the work, as before, is to present all the incidents of each libretto in the clear, readable form of a short story; and it is hoped that the combined volume will continue to prove of interest, not only to opera-goers but to all lovers of dramatic tales. The three volumes have been entirely reset and re-collated in a manner which it is hoped will make them easier for reference." - Summary by Gladys Davidson

Here are 10 one act plays offered by various groups of readers. From Ancient India to the Far Future, from the palaces of royalty to the servants hall, from comedy to tragedy, from deeply philosophical to farcically entertaining. Enjoy! Chitra by Rabindranath Tagore : Narrator: Foon Madana: Tomas Peter Vasanta: alanmapstone Chitra: Availle Arjuna: ToddHW Villagers: Sonia The Vampire Cat by Gerard van Etten : Narrator: Ian King Prince Hizen: Tomas Peter Buzen: ToddHW Ruiten: TJ Burns Ito Soda: Chuck...

One hundred years before the current hit musical Hamilton, Mary Hamlin wrote this historical play for Broadway with a big actor of the day, George Arliss, as co-author playing the leading role. It was made into a movie in 1931 with Arliss also playing the lead. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Alexander Hamilton: Tomas Peter General Schuyler: Amelia Chesley Thomas Jefferson: Wolfgang Bas James Monroe: Aleacia Messiah William B. Giles: Donald Gilmore Count Tallyrand: Delmar H Dolbier John Jay, Chief Justice: Joseph Tabler Zekiel: EJWiley James Reynolds: Chuck Williamson Colonel Lear: Campbell Schelp First Man: Nemo Second Man: Eva Davis Betsy Hamilton: Availle Angelica Church: TJ Burns Mrs...

The girlfriends are coming to visit the chaps at college, but of course they can't stay unless there is a proper chaperone. So what could be more reasonable that getting a friend from the Drama Club to dress up and pretend to be Charley's Aunt? Simple and sure to work! What could go wrong? Howsabout the real aunt arriving? This play has been revived and adapted numerous times including as films, a Broadway musical, and even an opera. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: STEPHEN SPETTIGUE, Solicitor, Oxford: Foon COLONEL SIR FRANCIS CHESNEY, BART...

Knowell, an old man - rumor says Shakespeare originally played this part - tries to spy upon the doings of his potentially wayward son. Meanwhile, Kitely, a merchant, worries so much about being cuckolded by his wife that perhaps it has to happen. All this while a swarm of other interesting characters surround them. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: KNOWELL, an old Gentleman: ToddHW EDWARD KNOWELL, his Son: Rob Marland BRAINWORM, the Father's Man: Zames Curran GEORGE DOWNRIGHT, a plain Squire: Algy...

"Sometimes, in a mood of Spanish castles, there flits across my fancy the vision of an ancient city on a hill-top, with lofty battlements thrust upward from the rock and towers that stand on tip-toe…. Our stage is the square of this ancient city, seen dimly in the night.... The time of our play is remote and I choose to think the world is flat, that comets are of evil prophecy and witches still ride on the windy moon...." Published in the same book as "Wappin' Wharf: A Frightful Comedy of Pirates", this story is subtitled "A Frightful Comedy of Beggars"...

A theater, various actors and actresses, their admirers, financial backers, etc. The star Rose Trelawny wants to leave the stage for love, but it is not an easy thing to fit into conventional society after a life onstage. And not easy to go back to the stage either. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Tom Wrench: Tomas Peter Ferdinand Gadd: Roger Melin James Telfer: Patrick Wallace Augustus Colpoys: alanmapstone Rose Trelawny: Eva Davis Avonia Bunn: Leanne Yau Mrs Telfer : Susan Ferman Imogen Parrott:...

The Funeral: or, Grief à-la-Mode, a Comedy, was written in the summer of 1701, and given to Christopher Rich, of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in October. Soon afterwards it was acted, and it was published by Jacob Tonson between December 18 and 20, with the date 1702 on the title-page. The music to the songs, by William Croft, appeared between December 16 and 18. [] The play was revived occasionally in most of the years between 1703 and 1734, and from time to time during the following half-century, the last date, apparently, being April 17, 1799...

According to the website www.stagebeauty.net, this is the 5th longest running play ever, with over 1200 original performances. Like Charley's Aunt , this also is a farce. An insurance investigator, a possible fraudulent injury claim, a lost necklace, an aged aunt with a more than passing resemblance to someone else, and of course, that Little Bit of Fluff - all conspire to cause great confusion. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: JOHN AYERS: Tomas Peter BERTRAM TULLY, His friend: Campbell Schelp NIXON TRIPPETT, Inspector of Claims for the Motor ’Bus Company: Chuck Williamson DR...

"The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle having been ratified ... and peace being assured ... Louis XIV resolved to give a festival in his favorite gardens of Versailles. Moliere's comedy, George Dandin, formed the chief entertainment." The plot: A wife comes home rather late, finds the door shut, and threatens to kill herself if her husband does not let her in. She pretends to do so; the good man rushes out quite terrified; the wife, meanwhile, sneaks in, and he is in his turn locked out. Add in her idiot parents and this should be the usual madcap fun...

The Premier has decided that being married would be good for his image. He asks his stenographer for advice: Good. Just jot me down a precis of the points made by your fifteen admirers when proposing - the points that specially appealed to you. I'm afraid, sir, that what most appealed to me could not be expressed in words. In fact, it wasn't words. But no, sir. The subject is too sacred.... ...But you could tell me how they began. The opening address, eh? How did they lead up? Most of 'em just kissed me, sir...

The plot resolves around a young woman being cited in court as "The Other Woman" in a divorce case, and how her family reacts to it. Says her uncle: I shall go out; people shall see me walking boldly through the streets: Portland Place—Regent Street—Fletcher Portwood, with his head up—his head up, they’ll say. I shall not turn my back on you, my poor little girl; don’t be frightened of that. You were always my favourite niece— I shall dine at the House, and then sup at the club. All London shall see me...

Under the terms of a will, the Wildersham children have to relocate from the family house in the city to "Crossings" in the country, and to spend the first fortnight alone fending for themselves in the house. The children encounter interesting country neighbors, including ghosts and fairies. Or are they dreaming? Walter De La Mare was a poet, and we have a number of his poems available at. This is his only play: "Crossings was produced for the first time in 1919, at the Wick School, Hove, to celebrate the coming of Peace...

Here we have a serious family drama by Australian playwright Arthur Adams about legacy and responsibilities, with some question about exactly who exactly the Wasters in society are. "No; you produce nothing, you spend everything; you do nothing, you waste everything. You're parasites, useless parasites.... Parasites, inefficients, wasters, wasters!" "We may be parasites, but you have made us parasites. We may be wasters, but you prey on us." To highlight the growing tensions, it includes comic second act scenes placed in the women's undergarment department of the family store...

The life of Doctor Johnson, told in his own words and those of others around him. "Anyone with a teaspoonful of imagination can read this play with pleasure; with two teaspoonsful, I will not be responsible for results. He, or she, may be disappointed, for there is no plot to speak of. But there is talk - about as good talk as has ever been reported, and James Boswell as a reporter has never had an equal. " - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: ACT 1: Mr. STEWART: James Thomas Mr. MAITLAND: Tomas Peter Mr...

Zeus, gloomy and in tragic distress, is implored by Hermes and Athena to divulge the cause of his melancholy condition; while Hera, true to her Homeric character, confidently attributes it to another earthly amour. The king of gods and men, thus adjured, announced the true reason of his anxiety--daring assaults upon the character of himself and the rest of the Olympian divinities, and, in fact, denial of their very existence by the skeptics. What would be the best course to pursue? Summary by FoonCast...

"The history of Amphitryon and Alcmene, or rather the myth of the birth of Hercules, is certainly very old, and is to be found in the literature of different nations." Under Moliere's touch, it becomes "One of the most charming and natural comedies composed in French verse.... Sprightliness and vivacity abound in this comedy...." - Summary by Translator Henri Van Laun Cast list: Mercury, in the form of Sosia: Nemo Night: Eva Davis Jupiter, in the form of Amphitryon: Larry Wilson Mercury, in the...

Here, in our 13th collection, are 10 One Act Plays for your enjoyment. They range from tales of ancient Greek sailors to a story about early 1900 moonshiners; many short gems to make you laugh, cry, think, or all three. NOTE: Although the plays here were all published before 1923 and hence are in the Public Domain in the U.S., Alice Gerstenberg, Elizabeth Lay and Hugh Heffner died in 1972, 1989, and 1985 respectively and their plays may not yet be in the Public Domain in some countries. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: 1...

Dramatised by Australian playwright Arthur Adams from his book of the same name, this is labeled "A Comedy with a Tragic Tang". The author claims there is an alternative ending he wrote much against his will, but he declines to print it. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Galahad Jones: Adrian Stephens Sibyl Beach: Beth Thomas Pearl: Devorah Allen The Butcher: Son of the Exiles Edward Beach: ToddHW The Doctor: alanmapstone Kathie Jones: TJ Burns Horace Lothian: Tomas Peter A Young Man: Leanne Yau Em. Jones: Sonia Stage Directions: MichaelMaggs Edited by: ToddHW

"The cold, historical fact is that at about 9:15 o’clock on the evening of August 29th, 1922, five or six hundred average New Yorkers, two or three hundred friends of the management, and about fifty sophisticated first-nighters were in grave danger of rolling off their seats in hysteria because of The Torch-Bearers." How can you resist a play with a review like that? - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Mr. Frederick Ritter: Adam Bielka Mr. Huxley Hossefrosse: larryhayes7 Mr. Spindler: KHand Mr. Ralph Twiller: Matthew Reece Teddy Spearing: DrewStarmer Mr...

In the month of May 1664, Louis XIV entertained the Queen-mother, Anne of Austria, and his own wife , Maria Theresa, with a brilliant and sumptuous fete at Versailles.... The second day was distinguished by the representation of The Pricess of Elis [by Moliere].... The Princess of Elis, a comedy-ballet, was intended to represent the struggle between the affections of the male and female sex, a struggle in which victory often remains with the one who seems the furthest from obtaining it.... The author's natural flow of wit and humor was checked by the necessity of accommodating himself to the conventionalities of courtly propriety...

Essays on art, letters, thoughts, aphorisms - Goethe's thoughts were dealing with artworks of every branch of arts. He addressed many aspects of the artistic process and described his impressions of works of arts - and even dilettantism - in his essays. Being one of the great masters of german written arts, Goethe used his own skills to express his thoughts: while Section 25 is more of a commented list of pictures in a gallery, two other sections are dramatic readings. Furthermore there are letters, talks and thoughts to entertain - I hope, these essays may function as a worthy treasure-chest for the interested...

Amy Fisher's parents can't understand what their daughter sees in Aubrey Piper, a loudmouth and braggart who pretends to be more than the lowly clerk he is. She marries Aubrey even though he can't seem to stop insulting others or interfering with their lives. He accidentally sets her inventor brother Joe's laboratory on fire and also wrecks a car, driving it without a license. He is kicked off a radio show for offending the sponsor and blows Joe's deal with a paint company by demanding the inventor be paid $100,000...

Dick Brewster is implicated in a murder and comes to his aunt's farm to hide. His Aunt Sarah stands by him in his need and they all move to the city in the effort to clear his name. She investigates on her own account and.... - Summary by The Author Cast list: Lily Ann, Help at the farm: Devorah Allen Aaron Flint, the hired man: Alan Mapstone Mrs. Brewster, from New York: TJ Burns Helen Brewster, her daughter: Jenn Broda Leonard Fillmore, a young country lawyer: skypigeon Sarah Newcomb, sister of Mrs...

In this tragedy [about part of the aftermath of the Trojan War], which made its appearance in 1667, there is a more intricate plot than is usual in Racine's plays, and it offers a greater variety of character and motive. Love, jealousy, friendship, conjugal fidelity, maternal tenderness, anger, and despair are all portrayed with skillful touches; and if the language is that of the French Court of the seventeenth century, the natural emotions of the human heart, the same in all ages, show themselves...

Madame Pepita is a dressmaker in Madrid with an inherited fortune and a secret. So naturally she worries about the motivations of the suitors for her daughter's hand. But perhaps she should pay attention to other concerns as well. This play was made into a BBC movie in 1952. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Madame Pepita, aged 38: Availle Catalina, aged 17: Jenn Broda Galatea, aged 25: Matea Bracic Carmen, aged 28: Devorah Allen Cristina, aged 16: Sonia A Sewing Girl, aged 20: Son of the Exiles Don Guillermo, aged 40: Adrian Stephens Alberto, aged 22: Tomas Peter Don Luis, aged 55: ToddHW Augusto, aged 25 : Andrew Gaunce Andres, aged 30: David Purdy Stage directions: MichaelMaggs

Mrs. Holroyd is married to a loutish miner, who drinks, apparently patronizes prostitutes, and apparently brutalizes her. When a gentlemanly neighbor makes romantic advances to her, she wishes her husband dead. - Summary by Michele Eaton Cast List: Stage Directions: Scarbo Jack: silverquill Clara: Dtcastid Blackmore: MrsHand Mrs Holroyd: EltonTheSnowman Holroyd: alanmapstone Minnie: shreyasethi Grandmother: Availle Manager: ToddHW Rigley: alanmapstone First Bearer: Salvationist Laura: LaurenEmma3 Second Bearer: ChuckW

This retelling of Aladdin in dramatic verse begins in the humble home of a tailor, whose son spends his days in idleness and brings his parents nothing but grief. Soon, however, this son is brought to a magical grotto, where he finds a great treasure which will bring him his fortune. This story will have some twists and turns that are almost certain to be different from the story you know. - Summary by Devorah AllenCast: Tomas Peter: AladdinJenn Broda: Gulnare, the PrincessMichele Eaton: Nurse to...

Here, in our 14th collection, are 10 One Act Plays for your enjoyment. They range from the farm to the courtroom to the palace throne room; from the time of suffragettes to the far distant future of 1999; and two of them have the word "sweet" in their titles. Short gems to make you laugh, cry, think, or all three. NOTE: Although the plays here were all published before 1923 and hence are in the Public Domain in the U.S., Floyd Dell died in 1969 and that play may not yet be in the Public Domain in some countries...

This is a play in 5 acts. From the playwright's preface: "An imperfect hint towards the Fable of the following Tragedy was taken from the Legend of St. Genevieve written originally in French, and translated into English about an hundred years ago by Sir William Lower." It tells a story of jealousy and deceit turning friend against friend to acquire wealth and love. - Summary by Joshua Seeger

Percy Egerton-Bompas, M.P., and Mrs Bompas have secrets in their family. Which promise grave difficulties as they try to marry off their daughter. To say nothing of the potential political implications to a promising career.... A comedy. Which, with Pinero, does not preclude serious topics being seriously addressed. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Percy Egerton-Bompas, M.P.: Adrian Stephens Mrs. Egerton-Bompas: Sonia Howard, their son: Dale Burgess Beryl, their daughter: thestorygirl Countess of Ripstow: TJ Burns Denham, Viscount Lurgashall, her son: Tomas Peter Hon...

Here, in our 15th collection, are 10 One Act Plays for your enjoyment. They range from the mid-1600s to the early 1900s, from outright farce to bittersweet relationships, all short gems to make you laugh, cry, think, or all three. NOTE: Although the plays here were all published before 1923 and hence are in the Public Domain in the U.S., Moeller died in 1958 while the death dates for Postgate, Crandall, and Bornstead are unknown. Their plays may not yet be in the Public Domain in some countries....

"It is so sad when relations don't get on together." "Sadder still when they think they've got a right to trample on you, just because you happen to be an orphan and - I don't want to talk about my relations. I want to forget them. I stood them for nearly six months. I don't want to be reminded of them. I want to forget that they ever existed." She is not going to have her wish. Oh, no, not at all. A comedy. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Fanny: Devorah Allen Vernon Wetherell, Lord Bantock...

Lady Huntworth is in disguise and under cover as a cook. She entertains a number of men and the comedy ensues.- Summary by Michele Eaton Stage Directions: wib66 Captain Dorvastan: adrianstephens Reverend Audley Pillenger: toddhw Reverend Thorsby: Tchaikovsky Gandy: alanmapstone Newspaper Boy: David Purdy Mr Crayll: Larry Wilson Miss Hannah Pillenger: Annie Mars Lucy Pillenger: Matea Bracic Keziah: April6090 Caroline Rayward: Adrienne Prevost

Covering some of the plot of Shakespeare's Richard III, Jane Shore focuses on the mistress of the late Edward IV, also known as "The White Queen". In this short tragedy, Jane tries to thwart Richard's rise to power while experiencing love, betrayal, forgiveness, and an unexpected visitor who arrives in disguise. Cast ListLord Hastings: Tchaikovsky Duke of Gloster: ToddHW Belmour: Adrian Stephens Sir Richard Ratcliffe: Wayne Cooke Sir William Catesby: Alan Mapstone Dumont: Tomas Peter Jane Shore: Michele Eaton Alicia: WendyKatzHiller Jane's Servant: Larry Wilson Alicia's Servant: B. Jones Stage Directions: Adrienne Prevost

Here, in our 16th collection, are 10 One Act Plays for your enjoyment. They range from Moliere to Jane Austen, from Comedy to Tragedy, all in short gems to make you laugh, cry, think, or all three. - Summary by ToddHW Cast lists: 1. Hyacinth Halvey by Lady Augusta Gregory. BC for this play is wib66 Stage Directions: Joanna Michal Hoyt Hyacinth Halvey: ToddHW Fardy Farrel: Krista Zaleski Mrs Delane: Michele Eaton James Quirke: Greg Giordano Sergeant Carden: James R. Hedrick Miss Joyce: gracenfisk224 2...

Noel Coward explores the darker side of the roaring twenties in this early play. It focuses on an ageing beauty who uses affairs with younger men to keep her feeling relevant, and her son who is back from Paris after a year performing as a pianist and acquiring a cocaine habit. Set in the effervescent world of the socialite set, with plenty of the wit and charm that Coward is known for, The Vortex is, nonetheless, a powerful depiction of people who struggle to be completely honest with themselves...

Lady Frederick is a comedy by the British writer W. Somerset Maugham, written early in his career. The play was first seen in London in 1907, and was very successful, running for 422 performances. The title role was played by Ethel Irving. In New York it was first performed in 1908, with Lady Frederick played by Ethel Barrymore, who reprised her role in the play's film adaptation, The Divorcee. In the play, Lady Frederick is an Irish widow, seriously in debt; she must deal with suitors who have various motives for proposing marriage, and with the man with whom she once had an affair...

Though with some of Plautus's usual comic elements , this is a rare serious play by him looking at slavery and prisoners of war among the various Greek states. From the Prologue: "Really, it will be worth your while to give your attention to this play.... Don't you be afraid because I've said that there's war between the Aetolians and the Eleans. There , at a distance, beyond the scenes, the battles will be fought. For this were almost impossible for a Comic establishment, that we should at a moment attempt to be acting tragedy...