The Big Drum: A Comedy in Four Acts

A lively four‑act comedy set in the glittering world of 1910s London, this play follows the ambitious Philip Mackworth as his craving for fame drives him into questionable deeds that threaten his reputation. Amid elegant drawing‑rooms and the bustling streets of South Audley, he collides with the aristocratic Ottoline de Chaumié, whose own aspirations and self‑consciousness add a sharp, witty edge to their tangled interactions. The ensemble of high‑society figures, a private detective, and a few servants creates a bustling backdrop for the clash between public image and private desire.

The humor is laced with irony, exposing how lofty ideals can crumble under the weight of personal ambition, yet never losing its sparkling dialogue and brisk pacing. Originally staged with a bleak conclusion that left audiences unsettled, the playwright later softened the ending to satisfy the era’s theatrical expectations, offering a bittersweet yet more comforting resolution. Listeners will find a clever blend of satire and heartfelt moments that captures the restless spirit of its time without giving away the later twists.