Infidelity and social standing, public ridicule and private misgivings are the stuff of drama. Or, in the case of the The New Morality, a restored British comedy of manners, subjects of tart scrutiny.
Now at the off-Broadway Mint Theater, renown for reviving lost works, the 1911 Edwardian play, the handiwork of Harold Chapin, a witty playwright killed in World War I, blames the unseasonably hot weather for misbehavior.
The action takes place on a houseboat on the Thames. The setting may be serene, but beneath the surface, there is a tidal wave of emotion.
In fact, as Betty Jones (a wonderful Brenda Meaney) points out to her wandering husband Ivor (Michael Frederic), who has been dancing attention on the unseen Mrs. Wister all summer, he's embarrassing himself.
And by proxy, causing her distress. Betty, a New Woman of the burgeoning 20th century, is unlike her Victorian predecessor. She understands infidelity, but she will not tolerate a spouse who is indiscreet. Has he no self-respect?
Yet when Betty berates Mrs. Wister for ordering her husband about, treating him as a lapdog, the latter's husband (Ned Noyes) demands an apology! And if he fails to get one, he politely explains, he will be forced to sue for slander.
The New Morality pokes fun at men who don't understand the nature of strong women, while taking their idiot assumptions about their wives to task. Here, sexual politics abound, both its hypocrisies and the twisted nature of social progress.
Tightly directed by Jonathan Bank, the play takes time to grab audiences, given its leisurely pre-war pacing, but Steven Kemps' sets and Carisa Kelly's costumes are spot-on. So are the performances, aided by Clemmie Evans, Christian Campbell, Kelly McCready and Douglas Rees as the indispensable servant.
Chapin's satire isn't as biting as Oscar Wilde's, but he still hits his mark. A literary successor to Wilde's jabs at upper-class life, The New Morality is a gentle entertaining comedy with a pointed edge.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
