The Most Lamentable Tragedy of Alfred and Genevieve

Background

The Most Lamentable Tragedy of Alfred and Genevieve is a dramatic tragedy written collaboratively for the stage by playwright and director Martin Weedle and Professor Francis Chadwick of Westenford, Amasynia in AR 168. Its first performance was in AR 170, after initial problems of finding a suitable lead actor. In 170, while rehearsing for the play, Aloisius Treadwell suffered a grievous injury, breaking his left leg when he fell through a rotten stage floor. Six months after the damage, after intense efforts to heal as much of the harm as possible, Treadwell originated the role of Alfred, Lord Harkness, playing it to great celebrity and success within the following year. By 172, however, he was forced to retire the role in favor of taking his father's seat on the Westenford Ruling Council.

The Plot of the Play

The play primarily concerns the historical events surrounding the death of one of Westenford's third Chief Magistrate, one Alfred, Lord Harkness, at the hand of his wife, Genevieve. Referencing events set in AR 35, the play chronicles the months before and the days immediately after the death of Lord Harkness, who was poisoned by his wife in an effort to win favor with an invading Colonel Leland from The Red Caps. The effort would ultimately backfire, nearly leading to the dissolution of Westenford with Leland's ships having an easy and unchecked advance on the then-growing town that was without stable leadership on the death of its Chief Magistrate who was, at the time, the center holding the entire Ruling Council together. By the end of the play, Genevieve Harkness suffers the same fate of her husband at Leland's hands, leaving Westenford's Chief Magistrate and his wife both deceased, with the future of the town uncertain. Outside of the play, though, Westenford's historical documents record that by AR 36 a mustered rally of forces would eventually fight off the invaders, allowing Westenford to establish itself as having a reasonable naval defense backed by an occasionally shrewd body of leaders.

Chief Characters of the Play and Original Actors

Alfred, Lord Harkness, elderly and heavyset, with a cane and a pronounced limp to the left. Third Chief Magistrate of Westenford. Husband of Genevieve. Favored formal attire, especially jewelry. Known for being a pompous buffoon. Poisoned to death by Act IV, Scene I, Line 6. Role originated by Aloisius Treadwell in 170.

Genevieve, Lady Harkness, elderly and slim, except for her considerable bust. Wife of Alfred, Lord Harkness. Known through research to have had a slight stammer to her voice. Fatally poisoned her husband in order to gain favor with the invading Colonel Leland from The Red Caps in AR 35, but poisoned herself within the next week by Colonel Leland, the event recorded in Act V, Scene II, Line 15. Role originated by Professor Francis Chadwick of Westenford University in 170.

Colonel Barnabas Leland, handsome, young, and muscled. Leader of invading naval forces from The Red Caps. Thought to have been a considerable womanizer and rogue, perhaps the reason for the attentions of Lady Harkness. Role originated by Christopher Hackett in 170 at the initial performance; Hackett was replaced by one Thomas Littlewit by the end of the month at the demand of stage director Martin Weedle. Littlewit stayed in the role for the remainder of the play's run.

Various townsfolk and invading soldiers played through AR 172 by the rest of Weedle's Troupers.