THE SCHOOLMISTRESS
A Farce In Three Acts
By Arthur W. Pinero
1894,
THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY.
The Hon. Vere Queckett
Miss Dyott (Principal of Volumnia College for Daughters of Gentlemen)
Rear-Admiral Archibald Rankling, C.B. (of H.M. Flag Ship _Pandora_)
Mrs. Rankling Dinah
Mr. Reginald Paulover
Peggy Hesslbrigge (An Articled Pupil)
Lieut. John Mallory (Of H.M. Flag Ship _Pandora_)
Mr. Saunders (Mr. Mallory's Nephew, of the Training Ship
_Dexterous_)
Gwendoline Hawkins Ermyntrude Johnson
Mr. Otto Bernstein (A Popular Composer)
Tyler (A Servant)
Jane Chipman
Goff
Jaffray
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
When, during the season of 1885, the exceptional success of "The
Magistrate" had revived the fortunes of the Court Theatre and included
that house once again among the popular places of entertainment, the
future policy of Messrs. John Clayton and Arthur Cecil's management
was practically determined. The essentially comic play, the farce of
character and manners, was henceforth to compose the programme, and Mr.
Pinero, who had suggested the new policy, and so happily inaugurated
it, was naturally commissioned to provide the next play. "The
Schoolmistress" was accordingly forthcoming in due time, and in the
composition of this piece the author further developed his ideas as to
the scope and meaning of modern farce, ideas which will be found briefly
expounded in my introductory note to "The Cabinet Minister," published
in the present series of Mr. Pinero's plays. "The Schoolmistress" has a
very simple stage-history. It was produced at the old Court Theatre on
March 27, 1886, and it immediately caught the laughter and applause of
the town, the success being so decided that the play retained its
place in the programme until January 22, 1887, the total number of
performances in the interval having amounted to 290.
For purposes of reference a copy of the "first night" programme is here
appended:
[Illustration: 0012]
[Illustration: 0013]
ACT I. THE MYSTERY.
Reception Room at Volumnia College, Volumnia House, near Portland Place.
Class Room at Volumnia College.