Two little known Priestley plays, which, while they are quite different,
have important features in common.
The 31st of Juneis a comedy set partly in an advertising agency and
partly in a medieval castle; Jenny Villiersis a serious play set
backstage in an old provincial theatre. But both exploit elements of
Time. In the 31st of June scenes switch between modern times and the
middle ages, while characters move between both. There are kings,
company bosses, princesses, fashion models, dwarves and two rival
magicians. causing confusion and romance.
Jenny Villiers examines life in the Theatre. The doubts of the present
are confronted by players from the past, and a jaded playwright recovers
his faith in the Theatre. Both plays were performed on the stage, but
later rewritten and published as novels.