A CONCORD THEATRICALS TITLE

The Autobiography of a Cad

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  1w, 2m

by Ian Hislop & Nick Newman
Adapted from the novel by A.G. Macdonell

Chronicling the rise of self-proclaimed political titan Edward Percival Fox-Ingleby from Eton to Oxford and then on to Parliament, this dramatisation based on the happily fictitious memoir of a Cad contains all the hallmarks of success: adventuring while at university, serving the frontline of WWI, and joining the Tory party.

The Autobiography of a Cad

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult

Details

Summary

Chronicling the rise of self-proclaimed political titan Edward Percival Fox-Ingleby from Eton to Oxford and then on to Parliament, the Cad’s story contains all the hallmarks of success: university escapades with friends taking the blame, courageously signing up to be on the administrative frontline of the First World War effort and doing the decent thing and joining the Tory party in the 1920s. Committed to ploughing his own way through life, righting the wrongs of his unforgivably liberal parents and armed with a universal disregard for the rules, the truth, and the women in his life, this is Edward Fox-Ingleby, a man who no-one loves as much as himself. This happily fictitious memoir about serving the nation bears absolutely no relation to any politicians past, present or future.

History
The Autobiography of a Cad was first presented at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, on 7 February 2025.
Cast Attributes
EDWARD FOX-INGLEBY (CAD) – 35. A charming, vain, deceitful, cynical, delusional, arrogant, callous Old Etonian politician. In other words, a Cad.
MISS CONSTANCE APPLEBY – late 20s. A prim, proper blue¬stocking stenographer, who isn’t afraid to challenge the Cad’s most ludicrous claims. Also plays MOTHER, WALSH-AYNSCOT, MRS BEDFORD, GERTIE, HUDSON, FORBES, GRANNY INGLEBY, FELICITY, LADY URSULA CLOPPIN, DIANA, FLORENCE and VIOLETTA.
MR HENRY COLLINS – 30s. An impoverished researcher. A former Winchester pupil who is honest, bitter, frustrated and envious of the Cad, while trying to adhere to the truth. Also plays FATHER, FREDDY DUNCATTON, CYRIL HEREWARD, BEDFORD, GERALD CHIPPENHAM, LORD OLDHAM, SIR KNIGHTONBERRY, WINSLOW BUDDINGTON STARRET, MINISTER, OTIS WINCHESTER and PRIME MINISTER.

This play is designed for a cast of three.

One actor plays the CAD, who is dictating his memoirs – and plays
himself at various stages of his life.

One actor plays MR COLLINS, the researcher for the autobiography and
all the other male characters from the CAD’s past.

One actress plays MISS APPLEBY the stenographer of the
autobiography – and all the other female characters (and one or two
male characters, as necessary) who feature in the CAD’s past.

However, future productions could employ a cast as large as is necessary.

  • Time Period 1920s, 1910s/WWI
  • Setting The fictional county of Midhamptonshire, England.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)

Media

“Hilarious entertainment.” – Curtain Call Reviews

“A sumptuous, entertaining, fast-paced and laugh-out-loud feast of fun.” – Marlborough News

“A playful mockery of entitlement and greed.” – The Observer

“Nobody understands political satire more than Hislop and Newman.” – Theatre and Arts Reviews

“Mercilessly and outrageously funny satire.” – WhatsOnStage

Videos

  • Ian Hislop & Nick Newman discuss the author of The Autobiography of a Cad youtube thumbnail

    Ian Hislop & Nick Newman discuss the author of The Autobiography of a Cad

Licensing & Materials

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

Nick Newman

Nick Newman is an award-winning cartoonist and writer. He has worked for Private Eye since 1981 and has been pocket cartoonist for The Sunday Times since 1989. His cartoons have appeared in many other publications including The Guardian, Punch and The Spectator. He was The Ca ...

View full profile

Ian Hislop

Ian Hislop is a writer and broadcaster and has been editor of Private Eye since 1986. He has been a columnist for The Listener and The Sunday Telegraph, and TV critic for The Spectator. As a scriptwriter with Nick Newman, his work includes five years on Spitting Image, Harry ...
View full profile

Now Playing

Related