Subject
Hotels -- Drama Books
Best books
Booth Tarkington
The Trysting Place: A Farce in One Act
"The Trysting Place: A Farce in One Act" by Booth Tarkington is a comedic play written in the early 20th century. This theatrical piece is set in a country hotel and revolves around themes of love, mistaken identities, and the complexities of interpersonal relationships. Tarkington's work, known for its social commentary and wit, presents a humorous exploration of romance and societal expectations. The play unfolds in a secluded hotel lounge, where Mrs. Curtis, a widow, finds herself at the center of attention from Lancelot Briggs, a young man infatuated with her. Throughout the act, Lancelot grapples with his feelings and the obstacles posed by his family, while Mrs. Curtis acts coyly, encouraging him to dance with younger women. The situation becomes more complicated with the arrival of Lancelot's mother and sister, alongside Mrs. Curtis’ secret rendezvous with another man. Amidst misunderstandings and comedic chaos, the characters navigate their romantic entanglements, leading to unexpected revelations and humorous tensions. The play captures the innocence of youth and the complexity of adult relationships in a light-hearted manner.
Frank Dumont
The Quiet Hotel: A Farcical Sketch in One Act
"The Quiet Hotel: A Farcical Sketch in One Act" by Frank Dumont is a comedic play written in the early 20th century. This one-act farce centers around a quirky country hotel run by a single staff member, Susan, and a colored porter named Rubber-Neck, who has aspirations of becoming an actor. The work encapsulates the challenges and humorous misadventures that arise when an actress, Miss Calcium, arrives seeking rest yet inadvertently disrupts the tranquility of the hotel with her theatrical ambitions. In the story, Miss Calcium arrives at the “very quiet” hotel, only to encounter the eccentric staff and their humorous interactions. Susan, who essentially runs the whole hotel, and the oblivious Rubber-Neck, engage in a comedic dialogue that reveals their lack of hotel management experience and a shared desire to be involved in theatrical performance. As Miss Calcium attempts to teach them about acting, chaos ensues, culminating in absurd scenarios such as a staged rescue from an imaginary train. The humor lies in the characters’ misunderstandings and aspirations, leading to the creation of their makeshift theater performance, aptly named the Calcium Comedy Company. This lighthearted sketch serves not only as entertainment but also as a satire on the theatrical world and the dreams of its characters.
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