Cox and Box
by W.S. GilbertGenre: Comedy, Operetta
Setting:
Format of Original Source: Plot summary
Recommended Adaptation Length: 60 Minutes
Candidate for Adaptation? Promising
EXCERPT:
The story is the familiar old one which as “Box and Cox” was for so many years and still is such a favorite on the stage. It turns upon the funny experiences of Cox, the hatter, and Box, the printer, who are occupying the same room, the one by night and the other by day, unbeknown to each other, and for which Sergeant Bouncer gets double rent. At last they meet in the room which each one claims as his own. After a ludicrous dispute they gradually become reconciled to each other, but another dispute ensues when Cox finds that the widow Penelope Ann, whom he is about to marry, has been deserted by Box, the latter pretending to have committed suicide to get rid of her. Cox insists upon restoring Box to the arms of his intended, but Box declines his generous offer. Then they agree to decide by lot which shall have her, but each tries to cheat the other. The situation resolves itself satisfactorily when a letter comes to Cox from Penelope Ann, announcing that she has decided to marry Knox. They give three cheers for Knox, and Bouncer closes the scene with a joyous rataplan in which all three join.
COMMENTS:
Silly stuff, but potentially sturdy enough for an adaptation. Would you want to be compared to Arthur Sullivan’s original?
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