The Courtship of Winifred Edwards

Set in 1890s America, The Courtship of Winifred Edwards tells the story of two families in the process of becoming one. When Winifred leaves her handkerchief at a dinner party, Anthony Tailor becomes convinced she did so as a means of gaining his attention. He enlists his cousin, Georgia, to help him return the handkerchief and scout out Winifred's feelings for him. But Georgia’s secret relationship with...

Set in 1890s America, The Courtship of Winifred Edwards tells the story of two families in the process of becoming one. When Winifred leaves her handkerchief at a dinner party, Anthony Tailor becomes convinced she did so as a means of gaining his attention. He enlists his cousin, Georgia, to help him return the handkerchief and scout out Winifred's feelings for him. But Georgia’s secret relationship with Winifred proves that love is never that simple, is it?

  • Inquire About Rights
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Library

The Courtship of Winifred Edwards

Recommended by

  • Jackson West: The Courtship of Winifred Edwards

    YUM! Delicious syntax and and delightfully paced. Fantastic for Colleges and High schools looking to tell interesting and new stories using their old costumes. Felt like a breath of fresh air in an old garden that has been replanted with new bountiful fruit. Incredible work!

    YUM! Delicious syntax and and delightfully paced. Fantastic for Colleges and High schools looking to tell interesting and new stories using their old costumes. Felt like a breath of fresh air in an old garden that has been replanted with new bountiful fruit. Incredible work!

  • Sophia Brazda: The Courtship of Winifred Edwards

    A tour-de-force farce full to the brim of characters that are impossible not to love. 'Winifred Edwards' is one of those shows that is a joy to read and a pleasure to watch. It hits in the way that a classic period piece should but without the often-found esoteric bits -- instead, we get the story of a woman's independence and the well-intentioned fools who get in her way. It's charming, gosh darn it!

    A tour-de-force farce full to the brim of characters that are impossible not to love. 'Winifred Edwards' is one of those shows that is a joy to read and a pleasure to watch. It hits in the way that a classic period piece should but without the often-found esoteric bits -- instead, we get the story of a woman's independence and the well-intentioned fools who get in her way. It's charming, gosh darn it!

  • James Perry: The Courtship of Winifred Edwards

    The Handkerchief Play by Maggie Smith is a captivating exploration of love and societal expectations in 1890s New York. With well-drawn characters like the independent Winifred and the witty Georgia, the play masterfully intertwines humor and romance. The hidden love affair between Winifred and Georgia is both tender and revolutionary, culminating in a heartwarming and triumphant conclusion. Maggie Smith's vivid writing brings the Victorian setting to life, making this play a delightful read that celebrates individuality and love. I highly recommend this play for its engaging storyline and...

    The Handkerchief Play by Maggie Smith is a captivating exploration of love and societal expectations in 1890s New York. With well-drawn characters like the independent Winifred and the witty Georgia, the play masterfully intertwines humor and romance. The hidden love affair between Winifred and Georgia is both tender and revolutionary, culminating in a heartwarming and triumphant conclusion. Maggie Smith's vivid writing brings the Victorian setting to life, making this play a delightful read that celebrates individuality and love. I highly recommend this play for its engaging storyline and rich character development.

Character Information

As a writer, I am dedicated to creating diverse worlds onstage. Some of the most defining moments of my life involve me seeing myself represented onstage, television, or in literature. Because of this, I highly recommend casting this play diversely in regards to race, gender identity, and disability. You won’t be depicting the real world if you ignore this request.


This is acknowledging, however, that some roles are specific in the way they are written and must be cast. In this play, the following roles have these limitations:

- WINIFRED and GEORGIA must be played by women. However, this does not mean that you should only cast cisgender women— Womanhood is an expansive word, and anyone who feels comfortable portraying such an experience should feel empowered to perform this piece.




  • WINIFRED
    the Edwards family’s oldest daughter; independent, full of energy, not looking for love
    Character Age
    21
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • OTTILIE
    the Edwards family’s youngest daughter; a gossip who’s interested in anything you have to say
    Character Age
    19
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • ELEANORA
    the Edwards family’s mother; desperate for perfect daughters and a happy home
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • GRANVILLE
    the Edwards family’s father; kind, honest, and straightforward
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • GEORGIA
    Clarence’s niece, Anthony’s cousin; quick-witted and sarcastic
    Character Age
    21
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female
  • ANTHONY
    Clarence’s son, Georgia’s cousin; a romantic, chasing love
    Character Age
    23
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • CLARENCE
    Georgia’s uncle, Anthony’s father; generous and intelligent
    Character Age
    40s
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • VICTOR
    the Woods family’s only son; charismatic, always found lounging where he ought to not be
    Character Age
    24
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Male
  • CHARLOTTE
    the Woods family’s only daughter; a busybody who’s friends with everyone
    Character Age
    19
    Character Race/Ethnic Identity
    Any
    Character Gender Identity
    Female

Production History

  • Type University, Organization Louisiana State University, Year 2025