Play Reading in English – Charley’s Aunt by Brandon Thomas

HK English Speaking Union
  • Mon 19-10-2015 7:15 PM - 2 h

Colette Artbar

Free admission

Synopsis

“I’m no ordinary woman” (Babbs)

Jack Chesney and Charley Wykeham, two undergraduates at Oxford University, are in love - Jack with Kitty Verdun, ward of Stephen Spettigue the Oxford solicitor, and Charley with Amy Spettigue, the solicitor’s niece. However, neither knows quite how to express his love to his girl - until Jack comes up with a plan: It just so happens that Charley’s aunt, a wealthy widow from Brazil (“where the nuts come from”) is visiting that very day. So, why not have a luncheon for the girls and Charley’s aunt? Charley has reservations, but finally consents and the invitations are sent to the girls.

Then, to top off the plans, the two students decide to invite their aristocratic classmate, Lord Fancourt Babberley (“Babbs”) to entertain Charley’s aunt, while they entertain their girls. Babbs, however, is not entirely keen on the idea. All plans go awry when the aunt, Donna Lucia d’ Alvadorez, telegraphs that she won’t be arriving for a few more days. Without the aunt as chaperone, Charley and Jack quickly realise the girls won’t come to lunch. A crazy solution presents itself, however, when Babbs enters wearing a female costume he is trying on for the upcoming theatrical review. Jack immediately seizes him and calls him Charley’s aunt, just as the girls arrive at the door and are let in. Babbs, not at all used to this new role, is suddenly forced to masquerade as the doting aunt from Brazil. Comic confusion reigns supreme in the ensuing two acts of this hilarious 1895 farce.

 

Facilitator: Julian Quail.

Photo credit: http://www.thecannontheatre.com/uploads/3/2/3/2/3232037/9748566.jpg


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