The D'Urberville Dilemma
Cast: 3m, 5f (min. with doubling)
Run time: 120 minutes
In the 1870s agricultural depression, a naive farm girl sent to claim a noble lineage is seduced and abandoned by a wealthy heir, forcing her into a desperate struggle against societal hypocrisy and a tragic fate she cannot outrun.
A thrilling tale of seduction, love and betrayal.
The 1870s – the great agricultural depression. Britain remains divided between gender and class. The rich grew richer, and many were unable to find work – they fell into poverty and crime. The farming community particularly faced economic hardship during this time of cheap imported grain.
Thinking that a welcome piece of news regarding the family’s lineage might give rise to upward social mobility, the Durbyfield family send their eldest daughter, Tess, to work as a companion to madame D'Urberville. As a naive young woman, little do they realise that this would lead to her introduction to the darker side of society. Tess is seduced, abandoned and forced into drastic action, which ultimately leads to her downfall.
One young woman’s struggle against societal expectations, and her own fate.
Ensemble opportunities at the directors discretion.
Published by Lazy Bee Scripts.
Characters in order of appearance:
Angel Clare - a gentleman farmer, son of Rev Clare, 25
Liza Lu Durbyfield - Tess’s younger sister, mid to late teens
John Durbyfield - Tess’s father, 50s
Reverend Tringham – any age
Boy – early teens
Retty – dairymaid, 20s
Marion – dairymaid, 20s
Izzy Huett - dairymaid, early 20s
Tess Durbyfield – aged 16 - 20
Felix Clare - Angel’s older brother, late 20s
Joan Durbyfield - Tess’s mother, early 40s
Landlady of Rolliver's Inn – any age
Alec D'Urberville – gentleman, 30s
Madam D'Urberville - Alec’s mother. Almost blind, 70s
Harlot – a woman in the D'Urberville household, 20s
Man - a trick, the Harlot’s customer, 50s
Girl 1 - a field worker, any age
Girl 2 - a field worker, any age
Crick – a dairy farmer, 50s
Mrs Crick – Crick’s wife, 50s
Reverend Clare - Angel Clare’s father, aged 60
Mrs Clare - Angel Clare’s mother, aged 58
Driver – any age
Pimp - 40s
Landlord - Kingsbere lodgings, 50s
Maid - Reverend Clare’s household, Emminster vicarage, aged 30
Landlady - Pure Drop Inn, any age
Woman - Stonemason’s wife, any age
Guard - (unseen, pre-recorded railway announcement only)
Passer-by – any age
Policeman – any age
Mrs Brooks - Landlady of the Herons Guest House, Sandbourne, any age
Members of the cast as available double as fair-goers, inn customers, railway passengers, on Sandbourne sea front, constables, etc.
Minimum Characters (with doubling)
3m, 5f
Tess is not doubled.
Roles may be otherwise allocated should a larger cast be available, in which case Liza Lu, Angel and Alec should not be doubled.
Actor 1 (f) Tess Durbyfield
Actor 2 (f) Izzy / Liza Lu / Mrs Brooks
Actor 3 (f) Retty / Rolliver's landlady / Girl 1/ Mrs Clare / woman / passerby / plain clothes police constable
Actor 4 (f) Marion / Madame D'Urberville / Girl 2 / Emminster Maid / Pure Drop Inn Landlady / passer-by / plain clothes constable
Actor 5 (f) Joan / Harlot / Mrs Crick / plain clothes constable
Actor 6 (m) Boy / Felix / Alec / Mr Crick / Pimp / Kingsbere landlord / driver / policeman
Actor 7 (m) Rev Tringham / Angel
Actor 8 (m) John / Rev. Clare / Man (trick) / policeman
The cast may also take on roles as public house customers, passers-by, and crowds at the director’s discretion.
Published by Lazy Bee Scripts.
