Author(s): Arthur Wing Pinero
The second of Pinero’s farces, following the wildly successful The Magistrate, and likewise a hit. The Schoolmistress has a secret: “Think of the deception I am practising upon dear Vere! Think of the people who believe in the rigid austerity of Caroline Dyott, Principal of Volumnia College. Think of the precious confidence reposed in me by the parents and relations of twenty-seven innocent pupils. Give an average of eight and a half relations to each pupil; multiply eight and a half by twenty-seven and you approximate the number whose trust I betray this night!”The three acts are subtitled 1 – The Mystery, 2 – The Party, and 3 – The Nightmare. – Summary by ToddHW
Cast list:The Honorable Vere Queckett: Peter TuckerMiss Dyott, Principal of Volumnia College for Daughters of Gentlemen: SoniaRear-Admiral Archibald Rankling, C.B., of H.M. Flagship Pandora: Son of the ExilesMrs Rankling: AvailleDinah: Leanne YauMr Reginald Paulover: Tomas PeterPeggy Hesslerigge, an Articled Pupil: Eva DavisLieutenant John (Jack) Mallory, of H.M. Flagship Pandora: NemoMr Saunders, Mr Mallory’s Nephew, of the Training Ship Dexterous: Chuck WilliamsonGwendoline Hawkins: Kieren MettsErmyntrude Johnson: KalyndaMr Otto Bernstein, a Popular Composer: alanmapstoneTyler, a Servant: Rob BoardJane Chipman: EikyTavieGoff: RecordingPersonJaffray: Sandra SchmitStage Directions and Editing by: ToddHW