THE SCHOOLMISTRESS

A Farce In Three Acts

By Arthur W. Pinero

1894,

CONTENTS

THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY.

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

THE FIRST ACT—THE MYSTERY

THE SECOND ACT—THE PARTY

THE THIRD ACT—THE NIGHTMARE

Original

Original

THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY.

The Hon. Vere Queckett

Miss Dyott (Principal of Volumnia College for Daughters of Gentlemen)

Rear-Admiral Archibald Rankling, C.B. (of H.M. Flag Ship Pandora)

Mrs. Rankling Dinah

Mr. Reginald Paulover

Peggy Hesslbrigge (An Articled Pupil)

Lieut. John Mallory (Of H.M. Flag Ship Pandora)

Mr. Saunders (Mr. Mallory's Nephew, of the Training Ship Dexterous)

Gwendoline Hawkins Ermyntrude Johnson

Mr. Otto Bernstein (A Popular Composer)

Tyler (A Servant)

Jane Chipman

Goff

Jaffray

INTRODUCTORY NOTE

When, during the season of 1885, the exceptional success of "The Magistrate" had revived the fortunes of the Court Theatre and included that house once again among the popular places of entertainment, the future policy of Messrs. John Clayton and Arthur Cecil's management was practically determined. The essentially comic play, the farce of character and manners, was henceforth to compose the programme, and Mr. Pinero, who had suggested the new policy, and so happily inaugurated it, was naturally commissioned to provide the next play. "The Schoolmistress" was accordingly forthcoming in due time, and in the composition of this piece the author further developed his ideas as to the scope and meaning of modern farce, ideas which will be found briefly expounded in my introductory note to "The Cabinet Minister," published in the present series of Mr. Pinero's plays. "The Schoolmistress" has a very simple stage-history. It was produced at the old Court Theatre on March 27, 1886, and it immediately caught the laughter and applause of the town, the success being so decided that the play retained its place in the programme until January 22, 1887, the total number of performances in the interval having amounted to 290.

For purposes of reference a copy of the "first night" programme is here appended:

Original

Original

ACT I. THE MYSTERY.

Reception Room at Volumnia College, Volumnia House, near Portland Place.

Class Room at Volumnia College.

ACT II. THE PARTY.

ACT III. NIGHTMARE.

Morning Room at Admiral Rankling's in Portland Place.

The success in London led to the Court management sending a special company to represent the play in the provinces, where its popularity has been great and enduring, so much so that Mr. Edward Terry has recently added "The Schoolmistress" to his provincial repertoire.

The same story of success must be told of the play's career in Australia and America. Messrs. Brough and Boucicault presented it to the audiences of the Antipodes, where, in the character of Peggy Hesslerigge, Miss Pattie Browne is said to have given a remarkable performance, as the original exponent of the part, Miss Norreys, had done in London. In the United States, Miss Rosina Vokes was responsible for the production of Mr. Pinero's play, but there the principal success was achieved by Mr. Weedon Grossmith in the character of the Hon. Vere Queckett, originally interpreted with so much quaint humour by Mr. Arthur Cecil.

Malcolm C. Salaman.

January, 1894.

THE FIRST ACT—THE MYSTERY

The Scene is the Reception Room at Miss Dyott's seminary for young ladies, known as Volumnia College, Volumnia House, near Portland Place. The windows look on to the street, and a large door at the further end of the room opens to the hall, where there are some portmanteaus standing, while there is another door on the spectator's right. Jane Chipman, a stout, middle-aged servant, and Tyler, an unhealthy looking youth, wearing a page's jacket, enter the room, carrying between them a large travelling-trunk.

TYLER.

[Breathlessly.] 'Old 'ard—'old 'ard! Phew! [They rest the trunk on the floor, Tyler dabs his forehead with a small dirty handkerchief, which he passes on to Jane.] Excuse me not offering it to you first, Jane.

JANE.

[Dabbing the palms of her hands.] Don't name it, Tyler. Do you 'appen to know what time Missus starts?

TYLER.

Two-thirty, I 'eard say.

JANE.

It's a queer thing her going away like this alone—not to say nothing of a schoolmistress leaving a lot of foolish young gals for a month or six weeks.

TYLER.

[Sitting despondently on the trunk.] Cook and the parlourmaid got rid of too—it's not much of a Christmas vacation we shall get, you and me, Jane.

JANE.

You're right. [Sitting on the sofa.] Let's see—how many of our young ladies 'aven't gone home for their 'olidays?

TYLER.

Well, there's Miss 'Awkins.

JANE.

Her people is in India.

TYLER.

Miss Johnson.

JANE.

Her people is in the Divorce Court.

TYLER.

Miss Hesslerigge.

JANE

Oh, she ain't got no 'ome. She's a orphan, studying for to be a governess.

TYLER.

Then there's this new girl, Miss Ranklin'.

JANE.

Dinah Ranklin'?

TYLER.

Yes, Dinah Ranklin'. Now why is she to spend her Exmas at our College? She's the daughter of Admiral Ranklin', and the Ranklin's live jest round the corner at Collin'wood 'Ouse.

JANE.

Oh, she's been failin' in love or something, and has got to be locked up.

TYLER.

Well then, last