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Retained for the Defence: A Farce, in One Act cover

Retained for the Defence: A Farce, in One Act

Chapter 1: Characters.
By John Oxenford
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About This Book

Set during preparations for an evening party in a drawing room, this brisk one-act comedy turns on a string of misunderstandings and impulsive declarations. A triumphant guest and an excitable paterfamilias precipitate a sudden betrothal announcement, while servants and unexpected attendants complicate social roles and expectations. Rapid verbal sparring, mistaken identities, and swift reversals drive the plot toward a tidy resolution, offering a satirical yet lighthearted examination of pretension, social ritual, and the performance of respectability.

RETAINED FOR THE
DEFENCE

A Farce,

IN ONE ACT.

BY

JOHN OXENFORD, ESQ.,

AUTHOR OF

Twice Killed, A Day Well Spent, A Family Failing, Dice of Death, Only a Halfpenny, Reigning Favourite, Rape of the Lock, My Fellow Clerk, I and My Double, A Quiet Day, No Followers, What have I done? Porter’s Knot,
&c. &c.

THOMAS HAILES LACY,
89, STRAND,
(Opposite Southampton Street, Covent Garden Market),
LONDON.

RETAINED FOR THE DEFENCE.

First performed at the Royal Olympic Theatre,
on Monday, May 23rd, 1859.

Characters.

MR. MOTTLEY DE WINDSOR MR. G. COOKE.
MR. WHITEWASH MR. G. VINING.
MR. FERGUSON MR. H. COOPER.
THWAITES MR. H. WIGAN.
PAWKINS MR. F. ROBSON.
AGATHA DE WINDSOR MISS COTTRELL.

Guests, &c.

Time of Representation—45 MINUTES.

PERIOD—Present Day.

Costumes.

DE WINDSOR—Blue coat with metal buttons, white vest, black trousers.

WHITEWASH—Modern evening suit.

FERGUSON—Ditto.

THWAITES—Blue dress coat, white vest, black trousers, Berlin gloves.

PAWKINS—Long-tailed dress coat, colored vest, black trousers; hat and umbrella.

AGATHA—Rich pink silk ball dress.

GUESTS—Evening dresses.