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The
Edwardians
Saville Theatre, London, 1959
Role: Sebastian, 12th Duke of Chevron
Sebastian is a love-struck,
rebellious young duke in this
play, which was adapted by Ronald Gow from Vita Sackville-West's novel, The
Edwardians, published in 1930.
In response to a question about trends in
theater, Jeremy said in an 1967 interview: "I played a duke
in The Edwardians, you know, and I bet he's the last
straight duke you'll see on the West End stage!"
English theater was indeed
changing, with the spotlight falling on working-class characters
in working-class plays. And this play was far from that.
Handsome Sebastian is heir to
Chevron, a vast country estate. He has a deep sense of tradition and loves
the English countryside, but he loathes the cold, extravagant
society of which he is a part. He has socialist leanings and
falls in love with the wife of a peer. Lady Rochampton will
initiate Sebastian in the art of love, but the tradition of the
ruling classes proves too strong for him. He finally accepts the
duty laid upon him and marries a girl of good breeding picked
specifically for him.
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