Abstract/Description |
CH Index:
Thomas:
Synopsis Dorothy and Isabel make provision for their nephew, George, on his return from South Africa to board with them in their shared lodging house. His remembered ill-treatment of cats determines that they hand over their beloved "Thomas" to a friend. George arrives with a wife, doesn't realise the lodgings are his aunts' and generally criticises and violently upsets both his aunts and his wife. A reconciliation is effected and Thomas, escaping from custody, returns. The spinster aunts return to the usual routine little affected by the stormy incident of their nephew's home-coming.
Penny Dreadful:
Synopsis Jennifer Wilberforce is married to a Scottish doctor. They have settled in London upon Dr Wilberforce's remarriage, his first wife having died of a heart attack. Her sanity had also been a contributing factor. With Mr and Mrs Wilberforce in London are Mrs Angus, aunt of the first Mrs Wilberforce. A friend suggests to Jennifer that her husband's conduct is suspect. The old family maid adds to the suggestion. Mrs Angus makes a direct accusation that her niece was poisoned. A clever device whereby a sedative for Mrs Angus is drunk by Jennifer discloses the doctor's villainy.
Drought:
Synopsis The drought has killed the poet in Joe and driven him almost to insanity. Ellie can stand no more of the drought, her drought-striken husband and the environment. Both agree she should return to the city and she leaves. What appears to be a dust storm in a frightening and terrifying form snaps Joe's self-control. His rifle shot and the clap of thunder herald the oncoming new life for Joe in the next world and for the parched earth and near-dead cattle in this one. Ellie returns, with "I turned back ... before the rain began-never forget that Joe." But for Joe, "it's the end of torture, the blessedness of tears."
In Jack Bedson and Julian Croft (eds.), The Campbell Howard Annotated Index of Australian Plays 1920-1950. Armidale, NSW: Centre for Australian Language and Literature Studies, University of New England, 1993. |
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