Lady of Lyons

About this book

Although the author of this play is now famous for writing the most cliché opening line in literature – “It was a dark and stormy night…” (from his 1830 novel, "Paul Clifford" ), this melodrama by Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton was at one time one of the most popular dramas of its day. This story of romance and deception thrilled Victorian audiences. In the 1840’s, the show served as a starring vehicle for the great William Macready and the incomparable Helene Faucit. The plot of “Lady of Lyons’” centers around the proud and beautiful Pauline Deschapelles. She finds herself tricked into a marriage with Claude Melnotte, son of a gardener, by her former suitor, the Marquis Beauséant. - Summary by Kelly S. Taylor Cast List BEAUSEANT Wayne Cooke GLAVIS Greg Giordano COLONEL DAMAS Mike Manolakes MONSIEUR DESCHAPPELLES Alan Mapstone GASPAR Tchaikovsky CLAUDE MELNOTTE A. D. Latheron FIRST OFFICER Tchaikovsky SECOND OFFICER Wayne Cooke THIRD OFFICER Andrew Gaunce LANDLORD ToddHW Servant Jenn Broda MADAME DESCHAPPELLES Wendy Katz Hiller PAULINE Matea Bracic THE WIDOW MELNOTTE Annie Mars JANET Sonia