The Lady of Lyons

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Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Although the author of this play is now famous for writing the most cliché opening line in literature – “It was a dark and stormy night…” (from his 1830 novel, "Paul Clifford" ), this melodrama by Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton was at one time one of the most popular dramas of its day. This story of romance and deception thrilled Victorian audiences. In the 1840’s, the show served as a starring vehicle for the great William Macready and the incomparable Helene Faucit. The plot of “Lady of Lyons’” centers around the proud and beautiful Pauline Deschapelles. She finds herself tricked into a marriage with Claude Melnotte, son of a gardener, by her former suitor, the Marquis Beauséant. - Summary by Kelly S. Taylor

Cast List

BEAUSEANT Wayne Cooke
GLAVIS Greg Giordano
COLONEL DAMAS Mike Manolakes
MONSIEUR DESCHAPPELLES Alan Mapstone
GASPAR Tchaikovsky
CLAUDE MELNOTTE A. D. Latheron
FIRST OFFICER Tchaikovsky
SECOND OFFICER Wayne Cooke
THIRD OFFICER Andrew Gaunce
LANDLORD ToddHW
Servant Jenn Broda
MADAME DESCHAPPELLES Wendy Katz Hiller
PAULINE Matea Bracic
THE WIDOW MELNOTTE Annie Mars
JANET Sonia
(1 hr 59 min)