A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

Betzi

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  5w, 11m

William Douglas-Home

The story of Napoleon's time on St Helena in 1815.

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Betzi

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 11m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Docudrama/History
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior, Teen (Age 14-18)

Details

Summary

The play tells the story of Napoleon's arrival on St Helena, his stay in the pleasant house of William Balcombe, his encounters with the grim, overbearing Govenor Sir Hudson Lowe, removal to the unpleasant Longwood, and reception of the final blow - the failure of his brother Joseph's plot to effect his rescue. Prominent in the story is his tender relationship with Balcombe's daughter Betzi, who cheers his last final years while herself developing from a madcap girl to a sensitive and understanding young woman.

Cast Attributes

Napoleon Buonaparte, middle-aged

William Balcombe, middle-aged

Mrs Balcombe, middle-aged

Betzi, 20s

Sarah, any age

Admiral Sir George Cockburn, middle-aged

Dr O'Meara, middle-aged

Captain Poppleton, 20s/30s

Count Bertrand, middle-aged

Countess Bertrand, middle-aged

Count Les Cases, middle-aged

Emmanuel, the son of Count Les Cases, 14

Hon. George Carstairs, 20s

Sir Hudson Lowe, middle-aged

Marchand, Napoleon's valet

Servants as required

  • Time Period 19th Century
  • Setting

    A garden and a drawing room on St Helena, 1815

  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Authors

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