
By Charles Reade
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VII.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHAPTER IX.
A vivid portrait of 18th‑century London’s theatrical world unfolds through the eyes of Triplet, a penniless playwright whose cramped attic and fevered imagination set the stage for a larger tale. He wrestles with cramped quarters, a mis‑firing sausage, and a relentless urge to turn his chaotic thoughts into drama, all while receiving a mysterious summons from Covent Garden that promises a chance to break free from obscurity.
The narrative then turns to the bright, tempestuous life of a celebrated actress whose stage triumphs and private scandals ripple through society. Through gossip, rivalry, and the glitter of the playhouse, the story paints her as both a brilliant performer and a woman navigating fame’s fickle favor. Listeners are drawn into the clash of art and ambition, experiencing the glittering triumphs and gritty realities that defined a legend of the English stage.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (301K characters)
Release date
2003-01-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1814–1884
A vigorous Victorian storyteller, he mixed drama, history, and sharp social criticism in novels that were meant to move readers as much as entertain them. Best remembered for The Cloister and the Hearth, he wrote with a strong sense of injustice and a real flair for the stage.
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