‘The Traveller Returned’

The Department of Theatre presents "The Traveller Returned" by Judith Sargent Murray, adapted by Mark Evans Bryan.

Notice: this information is for a past event.
Ticket Info:
Free to Denison students, faculty and staff. General admission $8, Senior Citizen $5, Non-Denison students $4. Tickets may be reserved by calling the box office at 740-587-6527.
Sponsor(s):
Theatre
Photo for promotion of a comedy “The Traveller Returned” by Judith Sargent Murray

“The Traveller Returned” 

  • Written by Judith Sargent Murray 
  • Arranged and Directed by Dr. Mark Evans Bryan 
  • Assistant Director, Heather Grimm ‘17 
  • Stage Manager, Nicholas Radmer ‘18 
  • Assoc. Prof. Cynthia Turnbull, Costume Designer 
  • Assoc. Prof. Peter Pauzé, Scenery and Lighting Designer 
  • Andrew Johns M.F.A, Technical Director 
  • Joyce Merrilees, Costume Realization

The Department of Theatre presents “The Traveller Returned” by Judith Sargent Murray, adapted by Mark Evans Bryan. The play takes place at 8 p.m. on Friday, and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13 and at 8 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday, November 15, 16 and 17.

First performed on March 9, 1796, “The Traveler Returned” is a comedy about mistaken identities and a family reunion. A prominent eighteenth-century American writer, Judith Sargent Murray was an early proponent of women’s rights and a contributing influence on the emerging theater of the post-Revolutionary era. Long forgotten after her lifetime, Murray has been rediscovered in recent years, and new editions of her major works have appeared. An intelligent and wide-ranging thinker and a prolific writer, Murray left a body of work that offers insights into post-Revolutionary history and culture. Liberal, if not radical, in much of her thinking, Murray challenged many prevailing opinions about the roles and rights of women and the uses of the theater.

Major Camden addresses the newly arrived Mr. Rambleton at Boston Harbour. Mr. Rambleton’s servant Patrick O’Neal sits next to their luggage, nervously listening in.
The innkeepers, Mrs. Dorothy Vansittart and Mr. Vansittart hunch over a table, bemoaning their poor fortune. Mr. Vansittart holds an expense book and pencil.
Harriet Montague excitedly grabs onto the shoulders of her cousin, Emily Lovegrove, as they discuss Emily’s affection for Major Camden. Emily laughs her cousin off in denial.
Harriet asks her mother Mrs. Montague if they can host a dance, as Harriet’s cousin Emily nervously watches. The servant Bridget rolls her eyes, as she takes scientific notes for Mrs. Montague.
Harriet Montague smiles as she holds a letter from Alberto Stanhope to her chest, a fan in her other hand.
Dorothy and her husband Mr. Vansittart are rifling through their tenant Mr. Rambleton's possessions. Mr. Vansittart holds a small miniature portrait in his hand as Dorothy looks at him.
In the garden, Harriet Montague and Alberto Stanhope jokingly hold up their arms, as if to fence each other.
At the inn, Mr. Rambleton and his servant Patrick O’Neal look at each other worriedly. Alberto Stanhope stands in the doorway, having just delivered a letter calling Mr. Rambleton in front of a committee, accusing him of being a British spy.
Harriet Montague holds up her fan in accusation to her cousin Emily Lovegrove after learning of her cousin’s love for Major Camden. Emily sits in front of her and smiles.
Alberto Stanhope and Patrick O’Neal start above the disguised Mr. and Mrs. Vansittart, having caught them fleeing to the mountains after stealing Mr. Rambleton’s trunks.

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