CHARACTERS

  Ilam carve An illustrious Painter
  Albert Shawn Ilam’s Valet
  Dr. Pascoe
  Edward Horning Doctor’s Assistant
  Cyrus carve Ilam’s Cousin, a City Auctioneer
  father Looe A Catholic Priest
  Peter Horning A Journalist
  Ebag A Picture Dealer
  John Shawn A Curate
  James Shawn His Brother, a Curate
  lord Leonard Alcar
  Texel An American Millionaire
  A waiter
  A page
  A servant
  Janet cannot A Widow
  Mrs. Albert Shawn
  Honoria Looe Sister of Father Looe

SCENES

  Act I
  room in Ilam Carve’s house, 126 Redcliffe gardens

  Act II
  private room at the grand Babylon hotel

  Act III
  Janet’s sitting-room at WERTER road, Putney

  Act IV
  lord Leonard Alcar’s study, Grosvenor gardens

Special note.—­Each Act is divided into two scenes, separated by a passage of time more or less short.  The passage of time is indicated by darkening the stage for a few moments.  No change of scenery is involved.

NOTE

The play was produced for the first time in London at the Kingsway Theatre, by Granville Barker, on Tuesday, March 25th, 1913.

THE GREAT ADVENTURE

ACT I

SCENE I

Front room on ground floor at 126 Redcliffe Gardens.  An apartment furnished richly but in an old-fashioned way.  Fine pictures.  Large furniture.  Sofa near centre.  General air of neglect and dustiness.  Carpet half-laid.  Trunks and bags lying about in corners, some opened.  Men’s wearing apparel exposed.  Mantelpiece, R., in disorder.  At back double doors (ajar) leading to another room.  Door, L., leading to hall and front door.

Time.—­Evening in August.

Albert Shawn is reclining on the sofa, fully dressed, but obviously ill:  an overcoat has been drawn over his legs.  A conspicuous object is a magnificent light purple dressing-gown thrown across a chair.

Door bangs off.  Enter Ilam carve in his shirt sleeves, hurriedly.  Shawn feebly tries to get up.

Carve.  Now, don’t move.  Remember you’re a sick man, and forget you’re a servant.

     (Shawn shivers.  Carve, about to put on his dressing-gown,
     changes his mind, and wraps it round Shawn as well as he can. 
     Carve then puts on an oldish coat.)