A two-play volume from Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton’s dramatic works, this edition presents Richelieu; or, The Conspiracy and the money-focused drama Money.
It includes scholarly apparatus that frames the history, staging, and themes of these works.
The Richelieu piece offers a historical drama centered on Cardinal Richelieu, a powerful statesman whose career blends grand achievements with personal risk and moral ambiguity. The preface explains how the drama blends history and poetry, balancing vivid character portraits with the era’s political intrigues. The volume also includes notes on how the play condenses dates and events for the stage, while preserving the essence of its Parisian intrigue and its portrait of power.
Money transports the reader to London in 1840, focusing on wealth, family ties, and romantic choices. It follows social maneuvering, fortunes, and the pressures of inheritance, with a cast that includes a wary father-in-law, a hopeful heiress, and a circle of friends and rivals. The text preserves stage directions and dialogue intended for performance, capturing the tonal shifts between comedy, sentiment, and moral tension.
What you’ll experience
- A classic mix of historical drama and contemporary social comedy in one volume
- Rich character interactions, sharp dialogue, and scenes designed for the stage
- Editor’s notes and contextual commentary that illuminate Bulwer Lytton’s approach
- A window into 19th-century theatrical practice, with original setting and mood intact
Ideal for readers who enjoy historical and political intrigue alongside witty social drama, and for those exploring Bulwer Lytton’s theatrical range.