The New Woman: An Original Comedy, in Four Acts

In a lavishly decorated London drawing‑room, a troupe of aristocrats and their servants gather for an evening that quickly turns into a lively showdown of wit and propriety. Colonel Cazenove, proud of his nephew’s Oxford pedigree, presides over the chaos, while Captain Sylvester and the other guests navigate a sea of flowers, photographs, and the ever‑present hum of genteel conversation.

The heart of the comedy lies in the clash between entrenched masculine ideals and the bold, outspoken women who embody the “new woman” of the era. From spirited debates about higher morality to sarcastic jabs at newly‑published feminist treatises, the dialogue crackles with satire, exposing the absurdities of both tradition and progress. Characters like the sharp‑tongued Dr. Mary Bevan and the audacious Miss Enid Bethune keep the audience guessing which convention will be upended next.

With its sparkling repartee and a keen eye for social nuance, the play offers a charming portrait of a society on the brink of change, inviting listeners to enjoy both the laughs and the thoughtful commentary woven throughout.