Will Amelia get her way? Will Frederick escape his fate?
First performed in 1798, Lovers’ Vows is the work of trailblazing actress and writer Elizabeth Inchbald.
It was the hit of the season at Covent Garden. Jane Austen knew the play and Lovers’ Vows featured in her novel Mansfield Park, where it was considered too scandalous to perform.
Frederick, on leave from military service, finds his mother Agatha destitute on the streets and close to death. To secure her survival he draws his sword on a wealthy Baron but is quickly captured and imprisoned. The penalty for his actions is death.
Baron Wildenhaim has further troubles of his own. His daughter Amelia refuses his choice in marriage, and pursues instead her tutor Anhalt.
Will Amelia get her way? Will Frederick escape his fate?
Historia Theatre Company: Historia Theatre Company was founded in 1997 with the aim of putting on plays that have their source in or inspiration from history.
Elizabeth Inchbald (15 October 1753 – 1 August 1821)was the 8th of 9 children of a Suffolk farmer. Despite having a stammer, she defied her parents, by following her elder brother to London, to become an actress at the age of 17.
She married fellow Catholic Joseph Inchbald and they went on tour with a theatre company for four years, meeting Elizabeth Siddons and John Philip Kemble along the way. She really only started writing after her husband’s death in 1779. 19 of her comedies got London productions. She also wrote 2 novels.
Jack Studio Theatre, 410 Brockley Road, London, SE4 2DH from Tuesday 21 Jan – Saturday 1 Feb 2025 at 7.30pm; Sat 25th & Sat 1st matinees at 3.00pm
Admission: £17, £15 concessions (13+)
Booking: www.brockleyjack.co.uk or 0333 666 3366 (£1.80 fee for phone bookings only)