THE COURTSHIP OF WINIFRED EDWARDS
A Full-Length Play; Two Hours
The Courtship of
Winifred Edwards
By Maggie Smith
Or: The Handkerchief Play
THE COURTSHIP OF WINIFRED EDWARDS
Or: The Handkerchief Play
Set in 1890s America, The Courtship of Winifred Edwards tells the story of two families in the process of becoming one. When Winifred leaves her handkerchief at a dinner party, Anthony Tailor becomes convinced she did so as a means of gaining his attention. He enlists his cousin, Georgia, to help him return the handkerchief and scout out Winifred's feelings for him.
But it's never that simple, is it?
The Courtship of Winifred Edwards explores the customs of America's Victorian Era, especially focusing on the rules surrounding courtship for younger couples. This play also has a specific interest in social differences between generations, particularly in the ever-changing idea of what is "proper" and "improper." Most importantly, this play was written to explore themes of queer relationships in period pieces. As a queer writer, I'm tired of all historical representation I see of myself have sad endings. This play was made to fix that.
So, yes. This play has a happy ending.