Armand; or The Peer and The Peasant

Anna Cora Mowatt Ritchie

Read by LibriVox Volunteers

(4.4 stars; 4 reviews)

Although almost completely obscure today, this romantic melodrama was arguably a bigger hit for actress/playwright Anna Cora Mowatt than her theatre history-making comedy “Fashion” (1845.) Wisely cashing in on the craze for settings and characters made popular by Alexander Dumas’ “Musketeer” novels still being published in serial form when the play debuted, this drama focuses on the adventures of sweet, beautiful, peasant maiden Blanche, who discovers she may be the illegitimate daughter of the scheming Duke de Richelieu. Her sweetheart, the noble Armand, must prove that he is clever, bold, and courageous enough to defend her honor – Even if that means confronting the lecherous King Louis XV himself! - Summary by Kelly S. Taylor

CAST LIST:

Louis XV ToddHW
Duke de Richelieu Mike Manolakes
Duke D'Antin Alan Mapstone
Armand Cavaet
Le Sage Greg Giordano
Victor Matea Bracic
Blanche Jenn Broda
Dame Babette Kelly S. Taylor

Jaqueline TJ Burns
Jacot David Purdy
Etienne Elise Dee
Stage Directions Wayne Cooke (1 hr 53 min)