Richard Brinsley Sheridan monologues
Sheridan — English comedy of manners.
4 monologues
Sir Peter Teazle
The School for Scandal · Richard Brinsley Sheridan
«When an old Bachelor takes a young Wife—what is He to expect—'Tis now six months since Lady Teazle made me…»
A grumbling confessional opener for an old husband: play the self-mockery and the tenderness he refuses to admit.
Joseph Surface
The School for Scandal · Richard Brinsley Sheridan
«But my dear Lady Teazle 'tis your own fault if you suffer it—when a Husband entertains a groundless suspicion…»
The hypocrite's famous sophistry talking another man's wife toward betrayal by 'logic': silky charm over cold calculation.
Lady Teazle
The School for Scandal · Richard Brinsley Sheridan
«Hear me Sir Peter—I came hither on no matter relating to your ward and even ignorant of this Gentleman's…»
The turning-point repentance after the screen falls: from coquette to candour, the wife's tenderness winning out over vanity.
Lydia Languish
The Rivals · Richard Brinsley Sheridan
«Why, is it not provoking? when I thought we were coming to the prettiest distress imaginable, to find myself…»
A perfect comic ingenue piece: play her despair absolutely sincerely — the joke is that her tragedy is getting everything she should want; don't wink at the audience.