This volume contains four plays by the leading late Victorian and Edwardian playwright Arthur Wing Pinero (1855-1934). It provides a representative sample of the work of a writer who far outshone his rivals (including both Wilde and Shaw) in his own day, and inspired such successors as Somerset Maugham and Terence Rattigan in the genre of the 'wellmade play', and Ben Travers in the writing of farce. The plays are The Schoolmistress (1866), one of the famous Court farces; The Second Mrs Tanqueray (1893), the best known of all the plays about 'a woman with a past'; Trelawny of the 'Wells' (1898), a much-loved backstage romance; and The Thunderbolt (1908), a pioneering social drama. Two of the plays (The Schoolmistress and The Thunderbolt), are not available in print elsewhere. This scholarly edition includes an introduction, a biographical account, a full list of Pinero's plays in performance and publication, and several important appendixes, including an alternative ending to The Schoolmistress and significant variants in the text of The Second Mrs Tanqueray.

LOVE AND TEA A COMEDY-DRAMA OF COLONIAL TIMES IN TWO ACTS by ANNA PHILLIPS SEE is a delightful and heartwarming tale that transports readers to the colonial era, where love and laughter intertwine. The play unfolds in a charming colonial setting, following the lives of endearing characters as they navigate the complexities of romance, social norms, and personal aspirations. Through witty dialogue and captivating scenes, the story explores the power of love and friendship in the face of societal expectations. ANNA PHILLIPS SEE's skillful storytelling and engaging characters create a memorable theatrical experience that will leave you both laughing and reflecting on the timeless themes of love, identity, and following one's heart. Immerse yourself in the world of colonial charm and heartfelt emotions with LOVE AND TEA A COMEDY-DRAMA OF COLONIAL TIMES IN TWO ACTS and discover the magic of love's transformative power.

This is the first book to explore the fascinating relationship between theatre, fashion, and society in the period from the 1890s to the Great War.