
In a bustling London shop filled with colorful personalities, the play opens on a brisk morning as Mr. Cotton, an elderly hosier, prepares to hand over his business to his trusted foreman Bolt and eager apprentice Mizzle. Their banter crackles with witty wordplay, while a parade of visitors—ranging from the flamboyant Mr. Cutaway to the bewildered Sam Newgate—adds layers of chaos and charm. The stage is set for a classic farce, where social pretensions and misunderstandings collide amid the clatter of a busy storefront.
As Cotton departs for an important visit, Bolt and Mizzle must keep the shop running without letting any scandal spill over the polished door. Their attempts to appear respectable quickly unravel, revealing secret correspondences, accidental revelations, and a parade of eccentric guests each convinced they hold the key to the day’s success. Listeners will be treated to rapid‑fire repartee, slapstick moments, and a satirical look at Victorian propriety, all while the characters scramble to preserve the reputation of a shop that may be more theatrical than commercial.
Language
en
Duration
~45 minutes (43K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Paul Haxo from a copy generously made available by the University of California, Davis.
Release date
2015-09-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1812–1877
A lively figure in Victorian literary life, this English dramatist, critic, and translator helped bring German thought and drama to a wider British audience. He is also often remembered for an early recorded use of the phrase "in aid of."
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