Remembering "The Admirable Crichton"!

Those of us who were fortunate in having Brother Fitzpatrick as Class Teacher (in Classes 9 (B) and 10 (B), 1980 and 1981) will surely remember “The Admirable Crichton”; A very enjoyable play that was part of the prescribed ICSE curriculum for English Literature. Brother Fitzpatrick’s enthusiasm, diction and delivery were truly unmatched and one has to be grateful for the excellent grounding we received under his dedicated instruction. One may also recall that due to the unavailability of the printed text, we had to make do with “cyclostyled” copies of Barrie’s play!

The Admirable Crichton is a comic stage play written in 1902 by J. M. Barrie. It was produced by Charles Frohman and opened at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London on November 4th’ 1902, running for an extremely successful 828 performances.
Although the play deals with serious and then controversial class issues, it does little to seriously challenge the status quo. Barrie had considered a more challenging resolution - particularly an upbeat ending with Crichton and Lady Mary continuing their relationship - but decided "the stalls wouldn't stand it".
Synopsis: The story is centered on an extremely efficient butler who is in the service of Lord Loam. During a vacation on their yacht they become shipwrecked on a desert island and it is here they all realize Chrichton, the butler, is the only one capable of looking after everyone. On the island he becomes the "Guvnor", and heads the group who live an exotic lifestyle on their paradise island. But what would happen if a ship were to come along and rescue them?

Act One is set in Loam Hall, the household of Lord Loam, a British peer, Crichton being his butler. Loam considers the class divisions in British society to be artificial. He promotes his views during tea-parties where servants mingle with his aristocratic guests, to the embarrassment of all. Crichton particularly disapproves, considering the class system to be "the natural outcome of a civilized society".
At the beginning of Act Two, Loam, his family and friends, and Crichton are shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island. The resourceful Crichton is the only one of the party with any practical knowledge, and he assumes, initially with reluctance, the position of leader. This role begins to take on sinister tones when he starts training Ernest, one of the young aristocrats with them, to break a liking for labored epigrams by putting his head in a bucket of water whenever he makes one. Crichton's social betters at first resist his growing influence and go their separate ways, but in a pivotal scene they return, showing their acquiescence by accepting the food Crichton alone has been able to find and cook.
Act Three reveals the island two years later. Crichton has civilized the island with farming and house building and now, called "the Gov.", is waited on with the trappings and privileges of power, just as his master had done back in Britain. Lady Mary, Loam's daughter, falls in love with him, forgetting her engagement to Lord Brocklehurst at home. Just as she and Crichton are about to be married by a clergyman who was shipwrecked with them, the sound of ship's gun is heard. After a moment's temptation not to reveal their whereabouts, Crichton makes the conventionally decent choice and launches a signal. As the rescuers greet the castaways, he resumes his status as butler.
Act Four (subtitled "The Other Island") is set back at Loam Hall, where the status quo has returned uneasily. The Loams and their friends are embarrassed by Crichton's presence, since Ernest has published a false account of events on the island, presenting himself and Lord Loam in key roles. Lady Brocklehurst, Lord Brocklehurst's mother, quizzes the family and servants about events on the island, suspecting that Lady Mary may have been unfaithful to her son. The household evades these questions, except for a final one when Lady Mary reacts with shock - "Oh no, impossible..." - to the suggestion that Crichton might become butler at her married household. To protect her, Crichton explains the impossibility is due to his leaving service, and the play ends with his and Lady Mary's regretful final parting.