Proper: A Steampunk Comedy of Manners

by Angela Gyurko

The Widow Agatha Augustine and her companion, Daisyana Dallymuch, hide their secret life as inventors, not wanting to disturb the expectations of the Victorian Steampunk town of Port Brassington, nor rattle the sensibilities of their friend, town archivist Edison Pennythrift. The arrival of Sterling Letchford and young Deedsworth Letchford upends their plans as Sterling attempts – by whatever means necessary –...

The Widow Agatha Augustine and her companion, Daisyana Dallymuch, hide their secret life as inventors, not wanting to disturb the expectations of the Victorian Steampunk town of Port Brassington, nor rattle the sensibilities of their friend, town archivist Edison Pennythrift. The arrival of Sterling Letchford and young Deedsworth Letchford upends their plans as Sterling attempts – by whatever means necessary – to procure the papers of The Widow’s late husband. He means to make his fortune and will stop at nothing, not even marriage, to get what he wants. But Sterling has never met anyone quite like The Widow. She thrives on experiments, and Sterling did say nothing could stop him. That was a challenge, wasn’t it?

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Proper: A Steampunk Comedy of Manners

Recommended by

  • Bellingham TheatreWorks: Proper: A Steampunk Comedy of Manners by Angela Gyurko
    “

    Victorian England with a Steampunk vibe. Two women are on the edge of a great invention when an overbearing suitor with a dark agenda threatens to upend their scientific work. Will they see through his deceit? Are they cunning enough to outsmart this rich, determined man? Delightful play!! Highly recommended.

    Victorian England with a Steampunk vibe. Two women are on the edge of a great invention when an overbearing suitor with a dark agenda threatens to upend their scientific work. Will they see through his deceit? Are they cunning enough to outsmart this rich, determined man? Delightful play!! Highly recommended.

    ”
  • Andrew Lee Creech: Proper: A Steampunk Comedy of Manners by Angela Gyurko
    “

    This play is a rarity. We don't often get to see a modern a comedy of manners, and this one succeeds in wonderful ways. It's got delightfully drawn characters, amazing roles for women, clever language, and lots of fun bits. It tackles issues that feel all too relevant today, and it does so with a steampunk aesthetic that lights up the imagination. I hope to be able to see this fully produced one day.

    This play is a rarity. We don't often get to see a modern a comedy of manners, and this one succeeds in wonderful ways. It's got delightfully drawn characters, amazing roles for women, clever language, and lots of fun bits. It tackles issues that feel all too relevant today, and it does so with a steampunk aesthetic that lights up the imagination. I hope to be able to see this fully produced one day.

    ”
Proper should be cast as open gender and open race. For when one confronts toxic masculinity and gender role expectations under the guise of an 1890s steampunk adventure, one really should go about it properly.

Because Proper takes place in a steampunk world, casting directors should include actors with prosthetics or actors who use braces and walking-assist devices. Script modifications for actors using wheelchairs are included.

Cast of Characters

THE WIDOW AGATHA AUGUSTINE, intelligent and capable, played by an actor of extreme feminine energy. Casting directors should consider actors in wheelchairs for this role.

DAISIANA DALLYMUCH, AUGUSTINE’s companion, played by an actor with plucky energy.

EDISON PENNYTHRIFT, the town records clerk and archivist, played by an actor of moderate masculine energy. Casting directors should consider actors in wheelchairs for this role.

STERLING LETCHFORD, cold and attractive, played by an actor with excessive masculine energy.

DEEDSWORTH LETCHFORD, JR., the rebellious teen of STERLING‘s oldest brother and heir to the family fortune, played by an actor with plucky energy. DEEDSWORTH doubles as GARDINER in Act III Sc 1.

STREET URCHIN, played by a very short and slight actor.

Awards

  • FutureFest 2022, Dayton Playhouse
    Semi-Finalist
    2022
  • New Works Festival
    Garry Marshall Theater
    Semi-Finalist
    2021