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.