Showing results for "Looking for Elizabeth" in Drama & Plays

From the author of The Christmas Hirelings comes this Audible Exclusive production of Mary Elizabeth Braddon’s classic sensation novel Lady Audley’s Secret. English actress Olivia Poulet gives an assured and captivating narration; a cornerstone of the genre and a scandal at the time of its publication, Lady Audley’s Secret is an entertaining and shocking tale of high drama and shifting perceptions.

Lovers Vows (1798) is a captivating play by Elizabeth Inchbald, renowned today for its connection to Jane Austens Mansfield Park (1814). This adaptation of August von Kotzebues Das Kind der Liebe (1780), also known as Child of Love, stands out as the only version performed on stage among several adaptations published between 1798 and 1800. Inchbald, in her Preface, reveals her sensitivity to the challenges of transforming the original German text for an English audience, while maintaining the German setting. First staged at Covent Garden on October 11, 1798, the play became an instant success,...

In a world where beauty and charm dictate a womans fate, Miss Milner stands at a crossroads. Admired for her allure, she could easily become a socialite, marry a respectable gentleman, and live a life of comfort and happiness—at least by societal standards. But Miss Milner has other ideas. She boldly declares her desire to marry her guardian, a Catholic priest, challenging the norms of 18th-century society where women seldom voice their true passions. Will she find a path to happiness with a love that defies convention? Join us as we explore Miss Milners journey of love and rebellion. (...

Immerse yourself in this exquisite and heart-wrenching love story. Violet Tempest and Roderick Vawdrey, known affectionately as Vixen and Rorie, are childhood sweethearts whose bond faces the ultimate test. Rories family has other plans for him, pushing him towards a marriage that threatens to tear them apart. While it may seem like a familiar tale of star-crossed lovers, this novel delves deeper, exploring the complex reality of relationships beyond the initial spark of love. It captures the earnest struggle of loving someone while navigating the weight of familial duties and societal ...

In Dead Love Has Chains, we explore yet another dimension of Mary Elizabeth Braddons remarkable talent, crafted in her seventies. This novel delves deep into character and human psychology, setting it apart from her more conventional works centered on detection and crime. The story follows Irene Thelliston, a pregnant and unmarried woman sent back from India to live with her Aunt in Ireland. During her sea voyage, she confides in Lady Mary Harling, who promises to keep her secret safe. Years later, Lady Mary is horrified to discover that Irene is now engaged to her son, Conrad, who harbors his...

In the bleakness of post-World War I February in London, Mrs. Wilkins stumbles upon an enticing advertisement in The Times for a charming Italian castle available for rent in April. Spotting another lonely soul from her womens club, Mrs. Arbuthnot, engrossed in the same ad, she persuades her to join in on this adventure. Both women find themselves trapped in unfulfilling marriages and are unable to shoulder the cost of the villa, San Salvatore, alone. They decide to seek two additional companions, ultimately bringing aboard a genteel elderly widow, Mrs. Fisher, and the captivating young ...

Meet Aurora Floyd, the stunning daughter of a wealthy banker and a talented actress. Fresh from a prestigious finishing school in Paris, she possesses beauty, intelligence, and fortune. However, her life takes a tumultuous turn when two men fall for her, only to uncover a dark secret from her past. As they grapple with her history, the question remains who will remain loyal when the truth emerges? With a cast of unforgettable characters, the author weaves a captivating domestic drama that probes profound themes Is it right to love someone who has deceived you? Can we truly forgive the ...

Step into a world reminiscent of Wuthering Heights, where a turbulent love triangle unfolds within the walls of a grand English manor. Olivia Marchmont has always adhered to her sense of duty, but when she unexpectedly falls for a man who is captivated by another, the darkness of her heart is unleashed. In this gripping narrative, the lush countryside plays a vital role, almost as if nature itself is part of the drama. Unlike many tales, this story defies the notion of justice—do any of the characters truly get what they deserve in the end? Dive into this captivating tale and discover the ...

Dive into the gripping family saga of Elizabeth, a beautiful young woman whose life takes unexpected turns. Orphaned at a young age, she is raised by her strict spinster aunts. As she matures, Elizabeth finds herself ensnared in a loveless marriage, only to discover true love with another man. However, when she confides in her lover about her troubled marriage, her world is turned upside down when her husband is mysteriously found murdered the very next day! This enthralling tale weaves together themes of destiny, temptation, and the courage it takes to follow one’s heart. (Summary by Lani ...

Jane Austen's classic romantic comedy is the sparkling tale of the Bennets, a family blessed with five daughters and a mother desperate to marry them off. The tempestuous pairing of the witty, independent Elizabeth and her arrogant but honorable suitor Mr. Darcy sets the standard for all great couples of stage and screen. Although many have tried, few literary romances have matched the wit and gentile satire of Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

Samantha Spiro, David Troughton, and Amanda Root are among the cast of this new BBC Radio 4 dramatisation of Jane Austen’s famous novel. Mrs Bennet is determined to see her five daughters married off and secure a future for them all. When the wealthy Mr Bingley arrives in the neighbourhood, Mrs Bennet wastes no time in making his acquaintance. His friend Mr Darcy, however, discourages Mr Bingley from marrying Jane Bennet, and also appears to snub her sister Elizabeth.

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim. It’s a dreary February in post-World War I London when Mrs. Wilkins spots an advertisement in The Times for a small Italian castle for rent in April. She sees another member of her women’s club, Mrs. Arbuthnot, reading the same advertisement and manages to convince her that the two of them should rent it. Both are miserable and lonely in their marriages. They can’t afford the cost of the villa, San Salvatore, on their own and must advertise for two others, eventually recruiting an elderly widow named Mrs. Fisher, and Lady Caroline Dester, a ...

Ideal for students of Shakespeare and Dance Studies, Choreographing Shakespeare explores how dance adaptations strive to design legible and intelligible stories, while ultimately celebrating the beauty of pure movement.

Set in English society before the 1832 Reform Bill, Wives and Daughters centres on the story of youthful Molly Gibson, brought up from childhood by her father. When he remarries, a new stepsister, Cynthia, enters Molly's quiet life. Loveable but worldly and troubling, Cynthia's arrival alters Molly's daily life. The narrative traces the development of the two girls into womanhood within the gossiping and watchful society of Hollingford.

Elizabeth Gaskells final novel, serialized in Cornhill Magazine from 1864 to 1866 and completed posthumously by her editor, offers a vivid portrayal of English life in the 1830s. The story follows Molly Gibson, the daughter of a widowed doctor, as she navigates her formative years in the provincial town of Hollingford. When Mr. Gibson remarries, Molly finds herself grappling with a pretentious stepmother while cherishing her deep bond with her new stepsister, Cynthia. Their relationships with the townspeople, especially the Squire of Hamley Hall and his family, lead to a rich tapestry of ...

When beautiful young Lucy Graham accepts the hand of Sir Michael Audley, her fortune and her future look secure. But Lady Audley's past is shrouded in mystery, and Sir Michael's nephew, Robert, has vague forebodings. When Robert's good friend, George Talboys, suddenly disappears, he is determined to find him and to unearth the truth. His quest reveals a tangled story of lies and deception, crime and intrigue, whose sensational twists turn the conventional picture of Victorian womanhood on its head. Can Robert's darkest suspicions really be true?

The Tragedy of Mariam (1613) marks a groundbreaking moment in literary history as the first original play written in English by a woman. Crafted by Elizabeth Cary, this closet drama draws inspiration from Jewish histories by Josephus, delving into the life of Mariam, the second wife of Herod the Great. As the play unfolds, Mariam grapples with conflicting emotions—relieved at the thought of Herods death due to her anger over his past actions, yet torn by her love and sense of duty as his wife. When Herod unexpectedly returns, Mariam is faced with a heart-wrenching decision that challenges ...

In this captivating tale, Molly and her father have been living a quiet life since the passing of her mother. However, Mr. Gibson believes that a new marriage will be beneficial for Mollys future. Enter the glamorous new Mama, who brings with her a beautiful step-sister, Cynthia, and a whirlwind of changes to their household. As Mrs. Gibson schemes to secure Cynthia a match with one of the local squires sons, she remains oblivious to her step-daughter’s true feelings and the secret meetings Molly has with Mr. Preston in the woods. This enchanting social commentary by Mrs. Gaskell, the author...

Lady Ludlow's appalling snobbery, prejudice and bred-in-the-bone conviction as to the superiority of the English aristocracy and their feudal way of life are deliciously tested, and found wanting, in this gently radical tale of the collapse of a social system. Elizabeth Gaskell's My Lady Ludlow is a brilliant picture of the shift in power in a rural northern village, from the velvety feudal Ludlows to the glitter of the new money rattling through the system courtesy of the brazen baker from Birmingham.

Peter Ducksworth, a Trinidadian widower of English ancestry, retires to Barbados, believing he will find an earthly paradise there. He decides to divide his land among his three daughters while he is alive, his intention not unlike that of King Lear, who hoped "That future strife/May be prevented now". But Lear made the fatal mistake of confusing flattery with love, and so does Ducksworth. Feeling snubbed by his youngest daughter, Ducksworth decides that only after he dies will she receive her portion of the land.