OPEN [Play]Wives as They Were and Maids as They Are by Elizabeth Inchbald - thw

ktaylor07 · Post by **ktaylor07** » May 20th, 2024, 6:37 am

alanmapstone wrote: ↑May 20th, 2024, 2:11 am Oliver act 2

https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_oliver_2.mp3

Thanks!

ktaylor07 · Post by **ktaylor07** » May 20th, 2024, 6:47 am

valroth wrote: ↑May 19th, 2024, 8:00 am
ktaylor07 wrote: ↑May 19th, 2024, 5:45 am
valroth wrote: ↑May 18th, 2024, 7:59 am

I did! The Lady was a lot of fun, ktaylor, and a bit of a mystery. Not sure about this “happy" ending!
Despite the play's comic tone, it really gives a rather bleak portrayal of women's options during this era, doesn't it? I've been doing a lot of reading about this play and its author recently. There's several interesting essays online about it. I thought this writer made some good points: https://womensplayhouse.com/2019/02/01/marriage-she-wrote-elizabeth-inchbalds-wives-as-they-were-and-maids-as-they-are/
Amazing! Thank you, I appreciate you sharing this link! Yes, few options for women indeed—but the ladies played their rolls, kept smiling and submitted begrudgingly to “authority” in the end. Speaking of essays, the opening remarks (pg A2) are pretty funny. The critic gets right to it when he says, “This is an incongruous drama. Truth, probability and decorum and violated in every scene…” Then he gets preachy... It’s hilarious actually and worth a read!

Have a lovely day!

Val

Yes -- The author of the foreword was writing around a quarter century after the play originally debuted. "Wives" continued to be quite popular with audiences throughout the Victorian era - though, as you see, those folks could be rather "judge-y" about material from previous times in history. The last few lines of the play are also an addition by a Victorian-era playwright. He has Miss Dorrillion essentially turn to the audience and say, "Well, ladies, what do you think about this ending?" Very interesting choice!

ADKreader1122 · Post by **ADKreader1122** » May 21st, 2024, 6:59 am

Hello Alan,
PL Okay for Oliver, Act 2.

Many thanks,
Lora

adrianstephens · Post by **adrianstephens** » May 21st, 2024, 10:50 pm

May I read Sir William?

ktaylor07 · Post by **ktaylor07** » May 22nd, 2024, 5:53 am

adrianstephens wrote: ↑May 21st, 2024, 10:50 pm May I read Sir William?

Hooray! Yes, please! Welcome to the cast!

alanmapstone · Post by **alanmapstone** » May 22nd, 2024, 9:37 am

Oliver act 4

https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_oliver_4.mp3

ktaylor07 · Post by **ktaylor07** » May 22nd, 2024, 10:29 am

alanmapstone wrote: ↑May 22nd, 2024, 9:37 am Oliver act 4

https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_oliver_4.mp3

Thank you!

adrianstephens · Post by **adrianstephens** » May 23rd, 2024, 6:30 am

ktaylor07 wrote: ↑May 22nd, 2024, 5:53 am
adrianstephens wrote: ↑May 21st, 2024, 10:50 pm May I read Sir William?
Hooray! Yes, please! Welcome to the cast!

Thank you. I'm not sure I liked this character, but I had fun reading it.
https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_sirwilliam_1.mp3 7:34
https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_sirwilliam_2.mp3 6:49
https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_sirwilliam_3.mp3 6:25
https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_sirwilliam_4.mp3 6:08
https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_sirwilliam_5.mp3 5:59

Best Regards,
Adrian

ADKreader1122 · Post by **ADKreader1122** » May 23rd, 2024, 9:57 am

Alan, PL Okay for Oliver, Act 4.

Thank you,
Lora

ADKreader1122 · Post by **ADKreader1122** » May 23rd, 2024, 11:03 am

Hi Adrian,
You captured Sir William well! All acts are PL Okay except for Act 2.
From :16-:20 please omit the repetition of "but your virtues compel me..."
At 4:43 there is a broken phrase and click to omit

Thanks!
Lora

ktaylor07 · Post by **ktaylor07** » May 23rd, 2024, 11:22 am

adrianstephens wrote: ↑May 23rd, 2024, 6:30 am
ktaylor07 wrote: ↑May 22nd, 2024, 5:53 am
adrianstephens wrote: ↑May 21st, 2024, 10:50 pm May I read Sir William?
Hooray! Yes, please! Welcome to the cast!
Thank you. I'm not sure I liked this character, but I had fun reading it.
https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_sirwilliam_1.mp3 7:34
https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_sirwilliam_2.mp3 6:49
https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_sirwilliam_3.mp3 6:25
https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_sirwilliam_4.mp3 6:08
https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_sirwilliam_5.mp3 5:59

Best Regards,
Adrian

He does seem to be a surly old cuss being obstinately stuck in his ways for no other reason than to set up artificial obstacles for the plot... Thanks for doing your usual wonderful work in bringing him to life, though!

silverquill · Post by **silverquill** » May 23rd, 2024, 5:19 pm

Stage directions for Acts I and II

https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_stage_1.mp3 5:48
https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_stage_2.mp3 7:21

ADKreader1122 · Post by **ADKreader1122** » May 23rd, 2024, 6:49 pm

Out of town until next Tuesday; will pick up the PL as time permits until then.

Lora

adrianstephens · Post by **adrianstephens** » May 23rd, 2024, 10:26 pm

ADKreader1122 wrote: ↑May 23rd, 2024, 11:03 am Hi Adrian,
You captured Sir William well! All acts are PL Okay except for Act 2.
From :16-:20 please omit the repetition of "but your virtues compel me..."
At 4:43 there is a broken phrase and click to omit

Thanks!
Lora

Thank you, Lora, for your kind words.
Here's the correction: https://librivox.org/uploads/toddhw/wivesastheyweremaidsastheyare_sirwilliam_2.mp3
Best Regards,
Adrian

ADKreader1122 · Post by **ADKreader1122** » May 24th, 2024, 3:58 am

Awesome, Adrian--PL Okay now.

Thank you,
L.