The Barretts of Wimpole Street (Acting Edition for Theater Productions)

By Rudolf Besier

Book Overview

THE STORY: The scene is Elizabeth Barrett's room. Here she lives with her father, sisters and brothers. Never too healthy, she has been kept prisoner by her domineering father, who rules his family with unbelievable severity. Her brothers and siste

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0822200961
• ISBN13: 9780822200963
• Release Date: October 1953
• Publisher: Dramatist's Play Service
• Length: 72 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 0.3" x 5.0"

Customer Reviews

"You'll marry me if I have to carry you to the alter myself!

Rudolf Besier's "The Barretts of Wimpole Street" is an excellent play based on a turbulent period in the life of the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Elizabeth is an invalid who along with her many brothers and sisters lives in terror of her borderline insane father. He rules his house with an iron fist, forbidding any of his children to marry or even have friends. Into this nightmare comes fellow poet Robert Browning, who through a combination of tender ardor and sheer stubbornness forever changes the life of Elizabeth, and ultimately all of the Barretts. The final scene, where the family comes to terms with a great shock, is both frightening and triumphant. Besier's play is rooted in fact and tightly paced, with an incredibly suspenseful ending, especially since most people know how Barrett's life turned out. Good, solid dialogue and an interesting historical backdrop make this play well worth reading. GRADE: A-

A Well-Written, Passionate Play

Well this play started off slow, but once Robert Browning was introduced, I was completely entranced. The play is set in the bedroom of Elizabeth Barrett, and it tells of the dynamics of living in a home with a domineering father. I felt deeply for Elizabeth's situation, and the fact that it's based on her actual life is amazing. It helped me see how such great work can come forth from such a tortured soul.The point where she meets Robert Browning warmed my heart and sent excitement through me as I read it. Rudolf Besier did a wonderful job in conveying the depth of love and commitment of Robert Browning. I missed Robert Browning when he wasn't in a scene, and I relished every scene that had him.Also, the scenes with Elizabeth's father were electrifying. The way the play described the father's relationship with his children was very well done. Besier definitely walked the line without being too obvious.Overall this was a magnificent play. I enjoyed it tremendously.

ILKNUR TUZEL

I'm a student in the university I will introduce Rudolf Besier. I read the book. I need information about the biography of Rudolf Besier. I have no enough time. I think The Barrets of Wimpole Street is the most successful work of Rudolf Besier