Author
Arthur Wing Pinero
1855-1934
Arthur Wing Pinero (1855-1934) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
WikipediaSubjects
Books by Arthur Wing Pinero
Trelawny of The "Wells": A Comedietta in Four Acts
"Trelawny of The 'Wells': A Comedietta in Four Acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a play written in the late 19th century. This work revolves around the theatrical life and the emotional transitions of its characters, particularly focusing on Rose Trelawny, a young actress on the verge of leaving the stage for a marriage that signifies a departure from her artistic lifestyle. The narrative begins with the elements of humor and drama typical of the theatre scene, highlighting the interactions among theatrical and non-theatrical characters. The opening of the play introduces us to a sitting room in a modest lodging house where preparations are underway for a farewell gathering for Miss Rose Trelawny. As various characters come in and out, we learn that Rose is leaving her acting career behind to marry Arthur Gower, a young man from a respectable family. Conversations among the characters reveal their thoughts on Rose's departure from the profession, their mixed feelings about it, and hints of emotional struggles as they navigate their world, balancing aspirations with societal expectations. The lively dialogue sets a comedic yet poignant tone, establishing the complexities of love and career within the theatrical community.
The Benefit of the Doubt; a Comedy in Three Acts
"The Benefit of the Doubt; a Comedy in Three Acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a play written in the late 19th century. It explores themes of societal reputation, family dynamics, and the complexities of marital relationships through the lens of a courtroom drama involving the character Theophila Fraser, who has just faced a scandalous divorce case. This sparkling comedy delves into the lives of various characters intertwined with Theophila's fate, including her family and friends who navigate their own reactions to the courtroom's judgment. At the start of the play, the setting unfolds around Mrs. Emptage's drawing-room, where tension mounts as the characters await news about Theophila's trial outcome. Mrs. Emptage and her daughter Justina, both visibly anxious, are joined by their lively relative, Mrs. Quinton Twelves, who attempts to uplift their spirits amidst the uncertainty. The news finally arrives that Theophila has been vindicated, but the celebration is overshadowed by deeper questions about her behavior inside the courtroom and the reputations at stake. As various family members and acquaintances gather, their interactions reveal underlying frictions, prejudices, and anxieties, setting the stage for further developments in the story.
The Profligate: A Play in Four Acts
"The Profligate: A Play in Four Acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a dramatic work written in the late 19th century. The play explores the complexities of morality and consequence within the context of marriage, centered around leading characters Dunstan Renshaw and Leslie Brudenell. It delves into themes of past indiscretions, societal expectations, and the struggle for redemption. At the start of "The Profligate," we are introduced to the characters in a legal office where Hugh Murray, the best man, grapples with his conflicting feelings about his friend Dunstan's impending marriage to Leslie, a naive girl unaware of Dunstan's troubled past. The tension escalates when it is revealed that Dunstan's former lover, Janet Preece, has approached Hugh for assistance in finding him, showcasing the imminent collision of Dunstan’s past and present. This opening sets the stage for a domestic tragedy that raises questions about love, guilt, and the possibility of redemption amidst societal judgment.
The Magistrate: A Farce in Three Acts
"The Magistrate: A Farce in Three Acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a farce written in 1885. A respectable London magistrate finds his orderly life turned upside down when his wife's deception about her age sets off a chain of scandalous events. What begins as an innocent evening escalates into a chaotic night involving a police raid, a collapsing balcony, and a desperate chase through muddy streets. The next morning, Posket must preside over his own courtroom—only to discover familiar faces in the dock, including his own wife.
The 'Mind the Paint' Girl: A Comedy in Four Acts
"The 'Mind the Paint' Girl: A Comedy in Four Acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a comedic play written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the main character, Lily Parradell, a popular actress known as the "Mind the Paint Girl," as she navigates the complexities of showbiz and her relationships with various suitors, notably Lord Farncombe and Captain Jeyes. This play offers a humorous glimpse into the world of theatre and the challenges faced by women in that era. The opening of the play sets the stage in Lily's fashionable Bloomsbury drawing-room, filled with gifts and flowers for her birthday. As characters are introduced, it becomes clear that Lily has multiple admirers, including the shy but earnest Lord Farncombe and the somewhat possessive Captain Jeyes. The dialogue hints at underlying tensions, particularly regarding Jeyes’ jealousy and the social dynamics of their circle. The first act builds up to a gathering at the theatre that promises intrigue and romantic entanglements, showcasing a blend of humor and the evolving relationships among the characters.
Dandy Dick: A Play in Three Acts
"Dandy Dick: A Play in Three Acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a three-act farce first performed in 1887. When a respectable clergyman rashly promises a thousand pounds for church repairs, his horse-racing sister suggests an unorthodox solution: betting on her racehorse, Dandy Dick. What follows is a comedy of complications involving secret wagers, meddling servants, disguised daughters, and a midnight visit to the stables that lands the Dean in a police cell, threatening his reputation and fortune.
The Cabinet Minister: A farce in four acts
"The Cabinet Minister: A farce in four acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a theatrical play written in the late 19th century. This work delves into the humorous dynamics of a British upper-class family, focusing particularly on their social interactions and the complexities of their relationships. The central character, Sir Julian Twombley, is a government minister facing various pressures from his family and societal expectations, which sets the stage for the farcical situations that unfold. At the start of the play, we are introduced to Sir Julian Twombley in the lavish conservatory of his home, where financial worries soon emerge. His son, Brooke, is grappling with significant debts while his mother, Lady Twombley, expresses her own anxieties about their financial affairs. Meanwhile, the arrival of various guests, including the charming but manipulative Mrs. Gaylustre, adds layers of comedic conflict. The scene is set for a blend of humor and societal satire as characters confront their responsibilities, desires, and the farcical nature of their high-society lives.
The Gay Lord Quex: A Comedy in Four Acts
"The Gay Lord Quex: A Comedy in Four Acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a comedy play written in 1899. It follows a notorious middle-aged rake who claims to have reformed his philandering ways and seeks to marry a young beauty. But her protective foster-sister, a sharp-witted manicurist, refuses to believe his transformation is genuine. When she attempts to expose him, a tense confrontation unfolds that will determine whether his redemption is real—and who truly deserves the young woman's hand in marriage.
The Second Mrs. Tanqueray: A Play in Four Acts
"The Second Mrs. Tanqueray: A Play in Four Acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a problem play first produced in 1893. When respectable widower Aubrey Tanqueray announces his engagement to Paula Jarman, a woman with a scandalous past, his upper-class friends are horrified. As the marriage unfolds, the couple struggles to bridge the gap between Paula and Tanqueray's proper young daughter, Ellean. But when a shocking connection from Paula's past emerges, it threatens to destroy the fragile bonds holding the family together, leading toward an inevitable tragic conclusion.
The Schoolmistress: A Farce in Three Acts
"The Schoolmistress: A Farce in Three Acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a farce written in 1886. When a headmistress secretly takes to the stage to fund her aristocratic husband's extravagances, she leaves him in charge of her girls' boarding school. Chaos erupts as students exploit his weakness, hosting an unauthorized party complete with a clandestine marriage, a gruff admiral, and unexpected guests. When a fire sends everyone scrambling and the headmistress returns in full opera costume, a whirlwind of revelations and reconciliations ensues.
The Big Drum: A Comedy in Four Acts
"The Big Drum: A Comedy in Four Acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a theatrical play written during the early 20th century. This romantic comedy focuses on the complex relationships between its characters, notably highlighting Philip Mackworth and Ottoline de Chaumié, as they navigate their past connections amidst societal pressures and personal desires. The beginning of the play introduces Philip Mackworth, a literary figure, who is coaxed out of his reclusive life by his friend Robert Roope to attend a luncheon with several guests, including the alluring Ottoline de Chaumié, a widow from his past. Roope hints at his intentions of rekindling Philip's relationship with Ottoline, who has recently returned to London. As the audience is drawn into their interactions, it becomes clear that unresolved feelings linger between them, setting the stage for a comedic exploration of love, ambition, and societal expectations. The dynamics among the guests also serve to comically reveal character flaws and social ambitions, which are critical themes throughout the play.
The Squire: An Original Comedy in Three Acts
"The Squire: An Original Comedy in Three Acts" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a theatrical play crafted in the late 19th century. The narrative revolves around the complexities of social class, personal ambitions, and romantic entanglements within a rural English setting. The central figures include Squire Kate Verity and various residents in her community, including men of diverse backgrounds who vie for her attention and approval, highlighting themes of love, class struggle, and loyalty. At the start of the play, the scene is set in a weatherbeaten Elizabethan mansion, where Christiana Haggerston, a servant, interacts with her brother, Izod. Their conversation reveals a sense of discontent and ambition on Izod's part, as he dreams of becoming a handyman for the Squire, who appears to be a figure of authority and respect in the community. The introduction of Gilbert Hythe, who shares a complicated relationship with Kate, further amplifies the tension and romantic interests, as themes of jealousy and class distinctions emerge. As various characters and their dynamics are introduced, the groundwork is laid for a comedic yet poignant exploration of life in a small village, enriched with foreshadowing and undercurrents of mystery regarding Kate's feelings for a mysterious soldier, Eric Thorndyke.
The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith
"The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith" by Arthur Wing Pinero is a play first produced in 1895. Agnes Ebbsmith is a radical critic of marriage and champion of free love, living unmarried in Venice with Lucas, a politician who abandoned his wife and career for her. They plan to lecture and campaign together against social conventions. But when Lucas's relatives arrive to "arrange" matters, Agnes discovers her partner may not share her revolutionary convictions. As pressure mounts from family and friends, Agnes must confront whether her ideals can withstand reality.