A Journey to London is a play written by John Vanbrugh (and reworked by Colley Cibber under the title The Provok'd Husband). It was unfinished by Vanbrugh at the time of his death and tells of a family travelling to London from the country.
Characters[]
- Sir Francis Headpiece
- Uncle Richard - uncle of Sir Francis
- Lord Loverule
- Lady Arabella - wife of Lord Loverule
- Squire Humphry Headpiece - Sir Francis' son, constantly thinks of food.
- Mrs. Motherly
- Martilla - niece of Mrs. Motherly
- Sir Charles
- Lady Headpiece - Sir Francis' wife (?)
- Miss Betty Headpiece - daughter of Lady Headpiece
- Colonel Courtly
- John Moody - servant of Sir Francis
- James - servant of Uncle Richard
- George
- Tom
- Deborah
- Clarinda
Plot[]
Act I[]
At his house in London, "Uncle Richard" spots his family (The Headpieces, including his nephew Sir Francis who he describes as foolish) making their way towards his abode in their carriage.
Once at their lodgings, the Headpieces talk amongst themselves and ready for dinner. A maid fetches a goose pie to be eaten but is mugged while returning. The Headpieces summon their plowman George and "Fat Tom" to find the robbers and return the pie. Though they find the robbers, they are severly beaten. Sir Francis and his son (Squire Humphry) ask for a tankard of beer before George returns to the lodgings, having nearly been run over by a carriage. The assembled Headpieces are also joined by Colonel Courtly, who talks with a woman named Deborah and learns about the lodgers. He then talks with the lodger's niece Martilla in a friendly manner.
Act II[]
Lord Loverule and his wife Arabella argue about their bedtimes, leading to Loverule kicking his own wife out and threatening to bar her from his home completely. Immediately after this, Arabella finds a young woman named Clarinda and talks with her. Arabella finds the young woman extremely plain and boring. Arabella soon leaves and Clarissa is found by Sir Charles. The two talk briefly before Arabella returns and leaves with Clarinda. Sir Charles then meets with Arabella's husband and talks with him about the female character.
Act III[]
Lady Headpiece and the Headpiece's lodger Mrs. Motherly talk about Arabella before going to a play. They are soon joined by Colonel Courtly, who accompanies the Headpieces in their carriage alongside Martilla. Humphry and Mrs. Motherly stay behind and are joined by Humphry's father and great-uncle, who talk of politics. Before the Headpieces can reach their play, their carriage crashes and the injured Headpieces make their way back to their lodgings.
Act IV[]
Lady Arabella, followed by Trusty, meets with Moneybag and convinces him to give her some money (as she is now short of funds). They are soon found joined by a man named Shortyard, with whom Arabella and Trusty talk about money. Arabella's husband soon arrives and the two argue. After he leaves, Arabella joins into some gambling held by a servant of Lord Loverule's named Captain Toupee. She is joined by Lady and Francis Headpiece alongside Miss Motherly, the Colonel, and Miss Betty (Lady Headpiece's daughter). During this match, Miss Betty loses a sum of money and Sir Francis blames this on cheating.
The play then abruptly ends.