The Servant in the House
Performances
January 5 & 6, 1939
Venue
Majestic Theatre
Synopsis
Everyone in the house of the Reverend William Smythe mentions that the new butler, the strange and singularly humble Manson, looks familiar, but they are more concerned about the arrival of Smythe’s detested brother-in-law, the Bishop of Lancashire, who is virtually deaf and blind and preoccupied with worldly success. The Vicar’s brother Joshua, long out of touch and now supposedly an important figure in the church, is also expected. The third arrival is another long-lost brother, Robert, who took to drink after his wife’s death and is now a common laborer. When Robert shows up, the family behaves badly, and it remains for the butler Manson to quietly bring the family closer together and teach them the true meaning of their religion. Amazed at Manson’s healing powers, the vicar asks him, ” In God’s name, who are you?” Manson replies, “In God’s name, your brother.”
Author: Charles Rann Kennedy
Historian’s Corner
“The Servant in the House,” a 1908 play, was a revival play Community Players had chosen to coincide with a holiday season due to its theme of brotherly love. The show had originally been scheduled to play in December but had to be moved to the early January spot.
Cast
Crew
