
VANDYKE BROWN.
Transcriber’s Note
In a cramped London lodgings, the household erupts into chaos as Mrs. Bobbins discovers her husband’s questionable behavior. Her fury is matched only by the snappy exchanges between a nervous servant, Rebecca, and the brazen Fastman, who tries to barter a mysterious letter for a tidy sum. The stage buzzes with rapid repartee, sharp accusations, and the absurd power struggles that turn a simple breakfast into a comedic showdown.
Meanwhile, Mr. Bobbins and his domineering wife clash over the fate of their maid, each delivering melodramatic threats that only heighten the farcical tone. Augustus, the beleaguered butler, attempts to mediate, yet his pleas are drowned out by escalating demands and witty retorts. Listeners will be drawn into the rapid‑fire dialogue and the playful satire of Victorian domestic life, where every misunderstanding spirals into hilarious uproar, leaving the audience eager to see how the household untangles its own melodrama.
Language
en
Duration
~56 minutes (53K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Paul Haxo with special thanks to Harvard University, Google, and the Hathi Trust Digital Library.
Release date
2016-07-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
Best known for brisk Victorian comedies and farces, this British playwright wrote stage pieces built on lively misunderstandings, quick dialogue, and compact theatrical charm. His surviving works still read like snapshots of mid-19th-century popular entertainment.
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