Lady Windermere's Fan

Roles

• Duchess of Berwick - Adult (36-50), Senior (>50), Female

About this piece

The Duchess of Berwick suggests that Lord Windermere might be having an affair

Summary

The story follows Lady Windermere as she discovers that her husband is having an affair with another woman, Mrs Erlynne. She confronts her husband about it but he decides to invite her to her birthday ball that evening. Angered by her husband's attitude, she leaves to meet Lord Darlington, a man who has been pursuing her for some time. Mrs. Erlynne, however, is interested in another man, Lord Lorton. She follows Lady Windermere in order to convince her to go back to her husband. Later Lord Windermere arrives and the truth is revealed about the situation. Mrs. Erlynne is actually Lady Windermere's mother who left her after eloping with a lover. She then started blackmailing Lord Windermere in exchange of keeping quiet about it. At the end she accepts not to reveal her identity to her daughter and decides to leave England, but not before asking for a photograph of her daughter, along with her precious fan. This monologues is at the beginning of the play. Lady Windermere is getting ready for her birthday's ball when the Duchess of Berwick pays her a visit, suggesting that her husband is seeing another woman...

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