The Admirable Crichton (Audio)

Sir James Matthew Barrie was a Scottish author and dramatist, best remembered today as the creator of Peter Pan.

This play was filmed twice for television, in 1950 and 1968.

In this play, Lord Loam, a British peer, considers class divisions to be artificial. He promotes his views during tea-parties where servants mingle with his aristocratic guests, to the embarrassment of all. Crichton, his butler, particularly disapproves of this.

Loam, his family, a maid, and Crichton are shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island. The resourceful Crichton is the only one of the party with any practical knowledge. Eventually, social roles are reversed, and Crichton becomes the governor.

1 - Act I; At Loam House, Mayfair
2 - Act II; The Island
3 - Act III; The Happy Home
4 - Act IV; The Other Island