Details

Independent Means tells the story of young woman Sidney Forsyth, newly married to Edgar, whose family business interests have run into trouble. Sidney senses an opportunity to strike out and make money for herself, independent of Edgar. The legendary Annie Horniman is rightly celebrated as the founding figure of British repertory theatre, and to mark the centenary of the opening of her Gaiety Theatre on Peter Street in 1908, the Library is reviving Independent Means by Stanley Houghton, one of the ‘Manchester School’ playwrights she championed. Considered ground-breaking when it debuted at the Gaiety in August 1909, Houghton’s feminist comedy was written after Hindle Wakes.

Cast/Performers

Ruth Gibson (Sidney), Geoff Breton (Edgar), Olwen May (Mrs Forsyth), Rupert Frazer (John Forsyth), Richard Albrecht (Samuel Ritchie), Sarah Parks (Jane Gregory)

Creatives/Company

Author: Stanley Houghton
Producer: Library Theatre Manchester
Director: Chris Honer