Scarlet Pimpernel

by Beverley Cross (Adapter), Emmuska Orczy

First performed in 1903, The Scarlet Pimpernel was the most successful play of its day archetypal Edwardian theatre and the precursor of romantic Hollywood historical epics. This adaptation brings to modern audiences the tale of the elusive hero who snatches helpless innocents from death and rescues the Comte de Tournai with the enemy hot on his trail. The Scarlet Pimpernel works in the shadows, his identity unknown even to his immediate followers. So disinterested is he in claiming credit for his heroism that he affects the persona of the biggest fool in London. He stands for English stability and against chaos and passionate fanaticism.|7 women, 16 men

Genres: Plays

Paperback

First published December 31, 1988

Reviews

[Katherine B.]

I was honestly expecting more from this… it was terrible! Marguerite and Suzanne almost fought a duel, Marguerite and Percy accidentally ended up at the inn together at the beginning, the formatting was terrible, so many names were changed needlessly, Percy was an ass who was always mocking Marguerite, and the pacing was so fast that there is no way you could keep Your head straight.

[Sherif A]

Chauvelin realizes Blakeney is the Pimpernel at midnight after waiting a bit in the wake of getting the information that the Pimpernel would be in the room right where Blakeney "sleeps" on a couch. Book is 1000x better but this gets you the story without the agonizing journey in Lady Blakeney's head that you go through in the book.

[Venice]

The play is humorous and wonderfully true to the novel and time period. Helps the reader understand the plight of the French aristocrats. I would love to direct this play as it offers several great roles for men. However, there are few women's roles.

[Marjo]

I thought that the play format would eliminate redundancies from the novel(isation?), and it did, but I'm not a big fan of some of the choices made to streamline the story.