Three Plays by Granville-Barker The Marrying of Ann Leete; The Voysey Inheritance; Waste

A lively comedy opens in a moon‑lit garden at an English country house, where a startled young woman and a nervous gentleman find themselves tangled in a bet, a misplaced kiss, and a chorus of bewildered relatives. The dialogue sparkles with wit as the characters wander among cracked fountains and rose‑laden terraces, revealing both the frivolity and the subtle pressures of eighteenth‑century courtship. Their evening of misunderstandings sets the stage for a gentle, fast‑moving exploration of love, pride, and the small dramas that play out behind garden walls.

In stark contrast, the second play unfolds as a modern family drama when a solicitor discovers a hidden will that could shatter the respectable veneer of a bustling household, forcing each member to confront long‑kept secrets and moral compromise. The third work transports listeners to ancient Rome, where a powerful politician’s ambition collides with personal loyalty, exposing the corrosive effects of greed and the inevitable waste of honor. Together, the three pieces offer a rich spectrum—from light‑hearted comedy to probing tragedy—showcasing the playwright’s keen ear for character and social nuance.