''Sweet Lavender'' is a play in three acts by

Arthur Wing Pinero Sir Arthur Wing Pinero (24 May 185523 November 1934) was an English playwright and, early in his career, actor. Pinero was drawn to the theatre from an early age, and became a professional actor at the age of 19. He gained experience as a supp ...

, first performed in 1888. The sentimental and gently humorous story concerns the romance of Lavender Rolt and Clement Hale, and the complications impeding the course of true love.

Premiere

The original production opened on 21 March 1888 at

Terry's Theatre Terry's Theatre was a West End theatre in the Strand, in the City of Westminster, London. Built in 1887, it became a cinema in 1910 before being demolished in 1923. History The theatre was built in 1887, near Fountain's Court, on the site of a ...

in London, starring Edward Terry as Dick Phenyl,

Brandon Thomas Brandon Thomas may refer to: *Brandon Thomas (playwright) (1848–1914), English actor and playwright who wrote the hit farce, ''Charley's Aunt'' *Brandon Thomas (musician) (born 1980), American rock band singer *Brandon Thomas (American football), ...

as Geoffrey Wedderburn, Carlotta Addison as Mrs Rolt, and Rose Norreys and Harry Reeves-Smith in the romantic leads. The play was so popular that it ran for 684 performances – a conspicuously long run for the time – until 25 January 1890; on its revival less than a year later it ran for a further 737 nights. The play was produced over the next few years in Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Russia, South Africa, the United States, and the West Indies. The

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

production opened in November 1888 at the Lyceum Theatre with W J LeMoyne and

Henry Miller Henry Valentine Miller (December 26, 1891 – June 7, 1980) was an American novelist. He broke with existing literary forms and developed a new type of semi-autobiographical novel that blended character study, social criticism, philosophical ref ...

in the cast. The Australian premiere, in 1889, was presented by and starred

Frank Thornton Frank Thornton Ball (15 January 192116 March 2013), professionally known as Frank Thornton, was an English actor. He was known for playing Captain Peacock in ''Are You Being Served?'' and its sequel ''Grace & Favour'' (''Are You Being Served? ...

Original cast

*Mr Geoffrey Wedderburn (of Wedderburn, Green and Hoskett, Bankers, Barnchester) –

*Clement Hale (his adopted son, studying for the bar) – Harry Reeves-Smith *Dr Delaney (a fashionable physician) – Alfred Bishop *Dick Phenyl (a barrister) – Edward Terry *Horace Bream (a young American) – F Kerr *Mr Mew (a solicitor) – Sant Matthews *Mr Bodger (hairdresser and wig maker) – T C Valentine (later in the run, Prince Miller) *Mrs Gilfillian (a widow – Mr Wedderburn's sister) – Miss M A Victor *Minnie (her daughter) –

Maude Millett Ethel Maude Millett (8 November 1867 – 16 February 1920) was a British actress of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for her roles in drawing room comedies. She created roles in plays by Arthur Wing Pinero, Oscar Wilde and J. M. Bar ...

*Ruth Rolt (housekeeper and laundress at Brain Court, Temple) – Carlotta Addison *Lavender (her daughter) – Rose Norreys (later in the run, Blanche Horlock)

Synopsis

The play is set in the Chambers of Mr Phenyl and Mr Hale, No 3, Brain Court, Temple. Springtime. The present day. *Act 1 – Morning – "Nobody's business" *Act 2 – Evening of the next day – "Somebody's business" *Act 3 – A Week afterwards – "Everybody's business" Ruth Rolt, a housekeeper, has a daughter, Lavender, who is in love with Clement Hale, who is studying for the bar under a disreputable but lovable barrister, Dick Phenyl. Clement is the adopted son of Geoffrey Wedderburn, a banker, who wants him to marry his niece, Minnie. Minnie has another suitor, Horace, an American. Mrs. Rolt discovers that Wedderburn is not only Clement's adoptive father but also Lavender's real father. She is very angry and breaks off the relationship between Clement and Lavender. Wedderburn's bank is threatened with failure; he takes ill and learns humility. Mrs. Rolt forgives and nurses him, while Lavender flies back into Clement's arms to console him after the financial ruin. Phenyl unexpectedly offers his own fortune to save the bank and Wedderburn's reputation, and all ends happily.

Revivals and adaptations

The play was revived at Terry's in September 1890, and in February 1899.Gaye, p. 1493 It was revived at the

Ambassadors An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or so ...

in December 1922, and at the

Lyric, Hammersmith The Lyric Theatre, also known as the Lyric Hammersmith, is a theatre on Lyric Square, off King Street, Hammersmith, London.

in June 1932. On Broadway the play was revived in 1905 (with Terry in his original role), and again in 1923."Edward Terry Seen In 'Sweet Lavender'"
''The New York Times'', 8 January 1905; an

''The New York Times'', 27 December 1923

Notes

References

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External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Sweet Lavender 1888 plays British plays adapted into films Plays by Arthur Wing Pinero West End plays