|
This was OULES' second production, being undertaken in Hilary term 2000. Still giddy from the success of Dick Whittington, four of the original cast remained and from this base Charley's Aunt sprang. The plot - in which Mr. Wykeham gains the notable distinction of becoming his own second cousin (or so I am reliably informed but feel the connection to be more than a little dubious myself) - is this: Jack Chesney and Charley Wykeham need the latter's aunt to be a chaperone. Said Aunt is a millionaire, but Charley has never met her, though this is apparently irrelevant since she does not materialise in time ot be of any use. Thus in order to spend the afternoon with the two girls they are in love with - Kitty and Amy respectively, they persuade a friend of theirs, Lord Fancourt Babberly, who has a part as an old woman in some amateur theatricals, to impersonate her. Meanwhile, Jack's father, Sir Francis Chesney, has lost a lot of money and is persuaded to seek a wealthy wife - Charley's aunt for example. The guardian and uncle of the two girls, Steven Spettigue, arrives to demand that the girls return home, but is persuaded to allow them to stay when he discovers that Charley's "aunt," the millionairess is present. He also attempts to chase her in order to get his paws on her purse. Meanwhile, the real aunt, Donna Lucia d'Alvadorez turns up with an orphan girl, Ela Delahay, whom Lord Fancourt has previously met and fallen in love with in tow. Donna Lucia turns out to be a long lost sweet heart of Sir Francis. Hilarity ensues and everyone except Mr. Spettigue and Brassett the butler end up with their sweethearts, old or new.
|
|
