Independent Means
Independent Means is a stage play written by Stanley Houghton, a leading member of the Manchester School of dramatists.
The play was Houghton's first professional full-length play which was written in 1908. Its first title was The Unemployed, but this was changed to avoid confusion with a one-act play with a similar title. It was chosen by
Plot
The play is set in the fictional town of Salchester (an amalgam of
Three months later, despite Edgar’s desperate attempts to speculate, the house and its contents are up for sale. Jane appears, dressed in her finery. Edgar returns from the pub, drunk and argues with everyone. Ritchie calls in, says he has bought the house and offers Sidney a job as a shorthand typist, which she accepts. When John hears of this he forbids her to take up the job, but Sidney insists and she and John separate. Meanwhile, Edgar has collapsed and died. A further three months pass, Sidney is working for Ritchie and living in Jane’s house. John and his mother are in lodgings. John has been trying for months to get a job, without success. He goes to Ritchie, who gives him a job as a car salesman; then discovers that Sidney is also working there and is furious. Jane appears to buy a car. Sidney announces that she is pregnant; she and John are reconciled to return to live together and to both work for Ritchie.
References
- ^ Mortimer, Paul (2008). "Stanley Houghton: Independent Means". Independent Means. Manchester Library Theatre Company.
- ^ Murray, Andy (3–9 November 2008). "Means of production". The Big Issue in the North. p. 28.