What do you think?
Rate this book
The Admirable Crichton
The story of the play concerns an aristocratic English family who revert to the state of Nature when shipwrecked on a desert island. While there, they are willing slaves to their former butler, but on return to civilization, the positions are shifted.
88 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1902
About the author
J.M. Barrie
1,389 books2,165 followersWhimsical and fantastic works of British writer Sir James Matthew Barrie include the play
Peter Pan
(1904).
People best remembered today Scottish author and dramatist James Matthew Barrie, first baronet, who in order of merit created Peter Pan.
Barrie, the son of a weaver, studied at the University of Edinburgh. He took up journalism for a newspaper of Nottingham and contributed to various journals of London before moving in 1885. His early Auld Licht Idylls (1889) and A Window in Thrums (1889) contain fictional sketches of Scottish life and commonly representative of the school of Kailyard. The publication of The Little Minister (1891) established his reputation as a novelist. During the next decade, Barrie continued novels, but gradually, his interest turned toward the theater.
In London, he met Llewelyn Davies, who inspired him about magical adventures of a baby boy in gardens of Kensington, included in The Little White Bird, then to a "fairy play" about this ageless adventures of an ordinary girl, named Wendy, in the setting of Neverland. People credited this best-known play with popularizing Wendy, the previously very unpopular name, and quickly overshadowed his previous, and he continued successfully.
Following the deaths of parents, Barrie unofficially adopted the boys. He gave the rights to great Ormond street hospital, which continues to benefit.
People best remembered today Scottish author and dramatist James Matthew Barrie, first baronet, who in order of merit created Peter Pan.
Barrie, the son of a weaver, studied at the University of Edinburgh. He took up journalism for a newspaper of Nottingham and contributed to various journals of London before moving in 1885. His early Auld Licht Idylls (1889) and A Window in Thrums (1889) contain fictional sketches of Scottish life and commonly representative of the school of Kailyard. The publication of The Little Minister (1891) established his reputation as a novelist. During the next decade, Barrie continued novels, but gradually, his interest turned toward the theater.
In London, he met Llewelyn Davies, who inspired him about magical adventures of a baby boy in gardens of Kensington, included in The Little White Bird, then to a "fairy play" about this ageless adventures of an ordinary girl, named Wendy, in the setting of Neverland. People credited this best-known play with popularizing Wendy, the previously very unpopular name, and quickly overshadowed his previous, and he continued successfully.
Following the deaths of parents, Barrie unofficially adopted the boys. He gave the rights to great Ormond street hospital, which continues to benefit.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
April 7, 2023
It’s difficult to say that I really enjoyed The Admirable Crichton. I’ve never read anything by Barrie and that includes Peter Pan. I was Disneyfied on that one. Crichton is intended to be a light, comedic play discussing class and upstairs/downstairs ethics. Reading it I didn’t think it was particularly funny, not like an Oscar Wilde play.
It might be better seen on the stage but there are some fairly long parenthetical stage instructions that are meant to be part of the play. The audience would miss that in a theatre. Crichton backtracks in the end and I think it weakens the point. Barrie himself evidently felt his London audience wouldn’t accept too much shaking up. Little did Barrie or the London audience know that they would have to deal with class and the servant problem soon, as WWI was just around the corner.
It might be better seen on the stage but there are some fairly long parenthetical stage instructions that are meant to be part of the play. The audience would miss that in a theatre. Crichton backtracks in the end and I think it weakens the point. Barrie himself evidently felt his London audience wouldn’t accept too much shaking up. Little did Barrie or the London audience know that they would have to deal with class and the servant problem soon, as WWI was just around the corner.
May 9, 2015
A recent discussion in one of my groups rekindled my interest in the several plays I studied in high school, all of which made enough of an impression on me that I haven't forgotten them to this day. This was one of those, written by the author of Peter Pan (which I've never read; but like virtually everyone else, I'm familiar enough with the pop culture figure!) --but this is a very different, and more adult, sort of play than the more famous one.
Here, our setting is the real world: the staid and stately "civilized" world of Edwardian upper-crust London, and the rough, challenging natural world of an uncharted Pacific island. We might describe it as Downton Abbey meets Gilligan's Island; but though this is a comedy (and much of it actually is downright hilarious), it's much more realistic and serious in its ultimate intent than the latter, and its humor is a lot more mordant and caustic than anything offered on either of those shows. The above description is basically
spoilerish; but it's hard to discuss or review this play without some spoilers.
The England of 1902 was a profoundly class-conscious society, with a hereditary aristocracy and gentry who saw their traditional position of power and privilege as a natural order that rewarded their superior merit, supported and waited on by a lower class born into servitude and socialized to accept it. For over 100 years, this social order had been increasingly challenged, within and without, by a philosophy of egalitarianism, of social leveling and equality. Barrie sets the two mindsets in conscious opposition to each other --and finds both of them wanting. His message is, in part, that humans aren't equal in their abilities or moral qualities; that some people really ARE superior to their fellows, and naturally better fitted for leadership. BUT, this has nothing essentially to do with hereditary social position; natural aristocrats are such because of who they are as people, not because of what rank their parents happened to have. So, a butler may be an intelligent born leader with genuine character; a peer or a "gentleman" may be a worthless, self-serving lout. It's not necessarily insignificant that Barrie was Sir James Barrie, baronet (baronetcy being the only hereditary form of knighthood in England) --but the first baronet of his line, being the son of a humble weaver.
Barrie delivers this message through an original, well-crafted plot with wonderfully drawn, compelling characters, realized with a very fine discernment of all types of human personalities and a bitingly satirical sense of humor. And like all writers of really great literature, he calls on his title character to make a serious and costly moral decision.
Not long after reading this play, I was privileged to watch a well done performance of it on PBS. It's well worth seeing performed; and like most plays, it gains something from being experienced that way. But unlike most, it also loses something significant; where stage directions and setting notes are usually brief and strictly functional, there to guide the director and cast without being read by the audience, Barrie's are often long, extremely witty, and contain a good deal of worthwhile information that's not imparted in the actual performance. This can be said to be a play that's actually better appreciated by being read than being seen, if you have to choose!
Here, our setting is the real world: the staid and stately "civilized" world of Edwardian upper-crust London, and the rough, challenging natural world of an uncharted Pacific island. We might describe it as Downton Abbey meets Gilligan's Island; but though this is a comedy (and much of it actually is downright hilarious), it's much more realistic and serious in its ultimate intent than the latter, and its humor is a lot more mordant and caustic than anything offered on either of those shows. The above description is basically
spoilerish; but it's hard to discuss or review this play without some spoilers.
The England of 1902 was a profoundly class-conscious society, with a hereditary aristocracy and gentry who saw their traditional position of power and privilege as a natural order that rewarded their superior merit, supported and waited on by a lower class born into servitude and socialized to accept it. For over 100 years, this social order had been increasingly challenged, within and without, by a philosophy of egalitarianism, of social leveling and equality. Barrie sets the two mindsets in conscious opposition to each other --and finds both of them wanting. His message is, in part, that humans aren't equal in their abilities or moral qualities; that some people really ARE superior to their fellows, and naturally better fitted for leadership. BUT, this has nothing essentially to do with hereditary social position; natural aristocrats are such because of who they are as people, not because of what rank their parents happened to have. So, a butler may be an intelligent born leader with genuine character; a peer or a "gentleman" may be a worthless, self-serving lout. It's not necessarily insignificant that Barrie was Sir James Barrie, baronet (baronetcy being the only hereditary form of knighthood in England) --but the first baronet of his line, being the son of a humble weaver.
Barrie delivers this message through an original, well-crafted plot with wonderfully drawn, compelling characters, realized with a very fine discernment of all types of human personalities and a bitingly satirical sense of humor. And like all writers of really great literature, he calls on his title character to make a serious and costly moral decision.
Not long after reading this play, I was privileged to watch a well done performance of it on PBS. It's well worth seeing performed; and like most plays, it gains something from being experienced that way. But unlike most, it also loses something significant; where stage directions and setting notes are usually brief and strictly functional, there to guide the director and cast without being read by the audience, Barrie's are often long, extremely witty, and contain a good deal of worthwhile information that's not imparted in the actual performance. This can be said to be a play that's actually better appreciated by being read than being seen, if you have to choose!
February 6, 2021
Feb 4, 840pm ~~ Review asap.
Feb 5, 1140pm ~~ "You know, Vandersee, I have always looked upon you as a sort of Admirable Crichton among sailors."
Sounded like an insult to me. But who or what is an Admirable Crichton? Color me clueless. So when I saw this remark in the book Gold Out of Celebes, I Googled the phrase to see what exactly our man had in mind when he said it.
I discovered that Admirable Crichton was a play written by J. M. Barrie of Peter Pan fame. I wondered if Project Gutenberg might have the play at their website, and they did, so I read it and here we are.
Now I can tell you that Crichton was the butler at the house of Lord Loam. Crichton was a most admirable butler. He was very proud of his career and his place in the world. He firmly believed in the separation of the classes, in not getting above his station in life, and all that sort of thing. But somewhere in his heart of hearts, did he feel superior to his superiors? Did he believe that he was the only one who knew how to do anything? The only one with practical knowledge and problem solving abilities? A dictator in disguise, perhaps?
Well, yes, I think he did feel that way. Because when the family takes a trip by yacht and ends up shipwrecked, the Admirable Crichton is the one who takes charge. Naturally. He was a great one for Nature sorting things out. Which it did on the island. For two years! But what will happen when or if they are rescued?
This was a hilarious play to read, and I think would be great fun to see performed. I found a movie version of it at YouTube and have added it to my Someday List of Things To Watch. (Come on, now. You didn't really think I only had a Someday List for books, did you? lol)
I was a little disappointed in the ending, as many people seemed to be if I remember my Wiki information correctly. Even Barrie said that he had at first written the play with a different ending, but decided that Society wasn't ready for that scenario at the time. After all, back then everyone knew their place, right?
Boy, am I ever glad those days are over. At least they should be, that is. Sometimes it doesn't seem that way, though does it.
Feb 5, 1140pm ~~ "You know, Vandersee, I have always looked upon you as a sort of Admirable Crichton among sailors."
Sounded like an insult to me. But who or what is an Admirable Crichton? Color me clueless. So when I saw this remark in the book Gold Out of Celebes, I Googled the phrase to see what exactly our man had in mind when he said it.
I discovered that Admirable Crichton was a play written by J. M. Barrie of Peter Pan fame. I wondered if Project Gutenberg might have the play at their website, and they did, so I read it and here we are.
Now I can tell you that Crichton was the butler at the house of Lord Loam. Crichton was a most admirable butler. He was very proud of his career and his place in the world. He firmly believed in the separation of the classes, in not getting above his station in life, and all that sort of thing. But somewhere in his heart of hearts, did he feel superior to his superiors? Did he believe that he was the only one who knew how to do anything? The only one with practical knowledge and problem solving abilities? A dictator in disguise, perhaps?
Well, yes, I think he did feel that way. Because when the family takes a trip by yacht and ends up shipwrecked, the Admirable Crichton is the one who takes charge. Naturally. He was a great one for Nature sorting things out. Which it did on the island. For two years! But what will happen when or if they are rescued?
This was a hilarious play to read, and I think would be great fun to see performed. I found a movie version of it at YouTube and have added it to my Someday List of Things To Watch. (Come on, now. You didn't really think I only had a Someday List for books, did you? lol)
I was a little disappointed in the ending, as many people seemed to be if I remember my Wiki information correctly. Even Barrie said that he had at first written the play with a different ending, but decided that Society wasn't ready for that scenario at the time. After all, back then everyone knew their place, right?
Boy, am I ever glad those days are over. At least they should be, that is. Sometimes it doesn't seem that way, though does it.
April 19, 2021
ERNEST. (This is the epigram.) Tea cups! Life, Crichton, is like a cup of tea; the more heartily we drink, the sooner we reach the dregs.
CRICHTON (obediently). Thank you, sir.
CRICHTON (obediently). Thank you, sir.
June 21, 2015
From BC Radio 4 - Saturday Drama:
Adaptation of JM Barrie's classic satire about the changing fortunes of Crichton, the perfect butler. Liberal aristocrat Lord Loam favours a return to nature, with masters and servants living together as equals, but Crichton is the perfect butler and the perfect snob who adores the intricacies of the class system. He cannot help but be horrified by his master's opinions, and it will take a sea change to alter them.
A movie was made based on this book: Paradise Lagoon (1957) "The Admirable Crichton" (original title) with Kenneth More, Diane Cilento, Cecil Parker.
This movie is available at YouTube.
Adaptation of JM Barrie's classic satire about the changing fortunes of Crichton, the perfect butler. Liberal aristocrat Lord Loam favours a return to nature, with masters and servants living together as equals, but Crichton is the perfect butler and the perfect snob who adores the intricacies of the class system. He cannot help but be horrified by his master's opinions, and it will take a sea change to alter them.
A movie was made based on this book: Paradise Lagoon (1957) "The Admirable Crichton" (original title) with Kenneth More, Diane Cilento, Cecil Parker.
This movie is available at YouTube.
January 5, 2019
In this one J.M. Barrie (of Peter Pan fame!) tells the story (in play form) of an English family and a few of their servants, who get stranded on a deserted island for two years. The interesting part is the idea that in England the aristocracy was in charge and the servants loyally followed orders from them. However, on the island things are very different! So...what happens when they are rescued and all go back to England? Will everything/everyone go back to "normal"?
This funny, light but thoughtful play was interesting and entertaining at the same time. I really enjoyed it!
This funny, light but thoughtful play was interesting and entertaining at the same time. I really enjoyed it!
September 6, 2017
প্রথম অঙ্কের উডহাউজিপনা দ্বিতীয় অঙ্ক শুরু হইতে না হইতেই বার্নার্ডশয়ী এবং ভয়ংকর হয়ে ওঠে। আর এই কারণেই প্রথম দৃশ্য নাকানে হাসি ছাড়া পাঠকেরে আর কিছু না দিলেও- দয়াল উডহাউজের কারবার স্বয়ং তিনি ছাড়া আর কে পারেন - একটু পরেই কাহিনীতে ক্রমাগত মাংশ জমতে থাকে।
জ্ঞানদায়িনী ব্যাপারস্যাপার আছে, কিন্তু তলস্তয়ের মত গল্প অ্যান্টি-ক্লাইমেটিক হয়ে ওঠে নাই, বরং অনেকটা শয়ের বেহতর কাজগুলির মতই জ্ঞানটা ডোজে ডোজে আসতে থাকে। চরিত্রগুলির প্রতি ব্যারি একটু নির্দয়, তাঁর বক্তব্যের প্রতি বিশ্বস্ত থাকতে গিয়েই সম্ভবত, তবে এইটা পাচনে খুব একটা সমস্যা করে না, হোরাসের স্যাটায়ার মনে করে পড়ে যাওয়া যায়। আর বক্তব্যটাও বেশ - হেয়ারি এইপের বক্তব্যই কি - সম্ভবত, খুবই কাছাকাছি বক্তব্য, কিন্তু এইখানে কাজটা সুন্দর ও'নীলের চাইতে, সুন্দর বলে ধার কমে যায় কিছুটা, কিন্তু হিউমারটা আবার জম্পেশ। যেহেতু জীবিবাবু বলে গেছেন, বক্তব্য থাকবেই যে কোনো কাজে, সেটাও থাকলো এখানে, কিছু নির্মল, উৎকট, অলমোষ্ট উৎকৃষ্টও, কমেডি হয়ে গেলো পাশাপাশি।
জে-এম ব্যারির বোধহয় এই প্রথম কাজ পড়লাম। এই কাজটারে হয়ত সময় পাল্টে যাচ্ছে এই ইঙিতেও পড়া যায়, এরকম একটা নাটক এর তিরিশ বছর পর ত আর লেখা যেতো না, তখন খ্যাপা ছেলেদের যুগ শুরু হয়ে যেতো। খ্যাপা ছেলেদের সাথে ক্রিক্টনের তফাত মনে হয় এখানেই, সে খেপে না, সে খেপতে পারে না, সে ঐ সমাজে পোষায়ে নেয়।
খেয়াল করে দেখলাম, এইটা আসলে শয়ের উত্তরসূরী না, সমসাময়িকই। আই ওয়ান্ডার হোয়াট হ্যাপেন্ড টু ব্যারি -
জ্ঞানদায়িনী ব্যাপারস্যাপার আছে, কিন্তু তলস্তয়ের মত গল্প অ্যান্টি-ক্লাইমেটিক হয়ে ওঠে নাই, বরং অনেকটা শয়ের বেহতর কাজগুলির মতই জ্ঞানটা ডোজে ডোজে আসতে থাকে। চরিত্রগুলির প্রতি ব্যারি একটু নির্দয়, তাঁর বক্তব্যের প্রতি বিশ্বস্ত থাকতে গিয়েই সম্ভবত, তবে এইটা পাচনে খুব একটা সমস্যা করে না, হোরাসের স্যাটায়ার মনে করে পড়ে যাওয়া যায়। আর বক্তব্যটাও বেশ - হেয়ারি এইপের বক্তব্যই কি - সম্ভবত, খুবই কাছাকাছি বক্তব্য, কিন্তু এইখানে কাজটা সুন্দর ও'নীলের চাইতে, সুন্দর বলে ধার কমে যায় কিছুটা, কিন্তু হিউমারটা আবার জম্পেশ। যেহেতু জীবিবাবু বলে গেছেন, বক্তব্য থাকবেই যে কোনো কাজে, সেটাও থাকলো এখানে, কিছু নির্মল, উৎকট, অলমোষ্ট উৎকৃষ্টও, কমেডি হয়ে গেলো পাশাপাশি।
জে-এম ব্যারির বোধহয় এই প্রথম কাজ পড়লাম। এই কাজটারে হয়ত সময় পাল্টে যাচ্ছে এই ইঙিতেও পড়া যায়, এরকম একটা নাটক এর তিরিশ বছর পর ত আর লেখা যেতো না, তখন খ্যাপা ছেলেদের যুগ শুরু হয়ে যেতো। খ্যাপা ছেলেদের সাথে ক্রিক্টনের তফাত মনে হয় এখানেই, সে খেপে না, সে খেপতে পারে না, সে ঐ সমাজে পোষায়ে নেয়।
খেয়াল করে দেখলাম, এইটা আসলে শয়ের উত্তরসূরী না, সমসাময়িকই। আই ওয়ান্ডার হোয়াট হ্যাপেন্ড টু ব্যারি -
January 31, 2022
3.5 stars
There's a terrible lot *wrong* with this play but I still found it quite dear and funny and compelling and ... Barrie's so hard to dislike as a writer even when I object strongly to the things he gets up to. And I particularly and nerdily enjoyed seeing him thinking about T. H. Huxley, and thinking both *with* both of them and *against* both of them. A fun thing to do.
(Read aloud with a play reading group. )
There's a terrible lot *wrong* with this play but I still found it quite dear and funny and compelling and ... Barrie's so hard to dislike as a writer even when I object strongly to the things he gets up to. And I particularly and nerdily enjoyed seeing him thinking about T. H. Huxley, and thinking both *with* both of them and *against* both of them. A fun thing to do.
(Read aloud with a play reading group. )
February 14, 2012
I'm sure I'm not the only one to have had this thought, this seemed like a nice template for a story, but certainly not a very full story in and of itself. There's absolutely no depth. And yes, I understand that it's supposed to be a comedy (of sorts) and that comedic works don't always have to be as deep as more serious works, but... there wasn't really anything to this story.
We're told that Mary is a spoiled aristocratic snob at the beginning of the play, and I suppose that's shown clearly enough. But we're also told that she morphs into a caring woman of some substance after spending 2 years on the island, and we're really not given any evidence of that other than the narrator's word on the matter, and the fact that Crichton has fallen in love with her.
I won't bother going into the others' situations, but it's essentially more of the same. We're just supposed to take for fact that they've changed, and then they're saved, and everything goes back to normal. Other than Mary refusing to bad-mouth Crichton, we're given no evidence that she actually loved him (and maybe she didn't), nor are we given any evidence that Crichton actually loved Mary (other than the fact that he's asked to leave service, but that's not really very substantial.)
What I'd really like is to see a full-length novel of this bare-bones plot -- something that actually digs deep into each of the characters' stories and motivations. A real love story. Not that I'm not fine with the ending -- but let's treat it as something actually tragic rather than just a flippant "oh, we're back in the real world, so ta-ta, it's been nice."
If such a book exists, please someone tell me, because I really would like to read it. It's not that the story doesn't have merit, it's just that this was, well... poorly executed. It's like an abandoned fanfic or something.
We're told that Mary is a spoiled aristocratic snob at the beginning of the play, and I suppose that's shown clearly enough. But we're also told that she morphs into a caring woman of some substance after spending 2 years on the island, and we're really not given any evidence of that other than the narrator's word on the matter, and the fact that Crichton has fallen in love with her.
I won't bother going into the others' situations, but it's essentially more of the same. We're just supposed to take for fact that they've changed, and then they're saved, and everything goes back to normal. Other than Mary refusing to bad-mouth Crichton, we're given no evidence that she actually loved him (and maybe she didn't), nor are we given any evidence that Crichton actually loved Mary (other than the fact that he's asked to leave service, but that's not really very substantial.)
What I'd really like is to see a full-length novel of this bare-bones plot -- something that actually digs deep into each of the characters' stories and motivations. A real love story. Not that I'm not fine with the ending -- but let's treat it as something actually tragic rather than just a flippant "oh, we're back in the real world, so ta-ta, it's been nice."
If such a book exists, please someone tell me, because I really would like to read it. It's not that the story doesn't have merit, it's just that this was, well... poorly executed. It's like an abandoned fanfic or something.
July 31, 2021
It was a fun change to read a play (something that I haven't done since high school Shakespeare--and of that experience I have no fond memories.) This play felt small but thoughtful and effortlessly humorous, though it took a while to pull me in (and even then I felt no special attachments to some of the key characters) but I was "sitting in the audience" completely invested when Chrichton turned out the lights in the last scene and the imaginary curtain came down. I did close the book feeling melancholy and a bit frustrated with the senselessness of "class," but I also wanted to cheer for true nobility and had the contented feeling that the "show" had been well worth "watching."
August 30, 2015
It has the advantage of being a quick read.And also free.
July 25, 2017
Barrie's wry and cutting satire of the British class system is a delight to read, though one wonders whether its nuances could be successfully staged. Barrie's stage directions are often detailed and provide character insights that would be difficult to convey in performance. Reading them adds considerably to the impact. Anyway, the conceit here is that the ironically-named Lord Loam tries to enforced an artificial equality on his household, once a year requiring his callow and venal children to mingle with the help--and the help to have to endure this. But a sea voyage ends in shipwreck, and two years on a desert island, during which time the class system is turned on its head. Crichton, the butler, rises to the position of authority as the one most competent to lead in such a world--which quickly becomes its own unnatural inversion, Crichton adopting for himself many of the privileges of a Lord, Then com rescue and return to England.... I think this play offers a more caustic take on the class system than might have been evident to the original audience, as Barrie coats it all with a light comedic surface. He's no Wilde, to be sure, but the cynical view of the upper classes is there to be seen. Not sure how well this might play today, but it does remain a pleasant read.
February 22, 2019
Had this on my kindle for a long time and finally decided to give it a try, nice short little read. Same author who wrote Peter Pan in this play it’s focus is on class structure although it’s not stated in the play race doesn’t appear to play a part in that the domestic staff especially Creichton the butler isn’t described in anyway that would suggest he was black, (would have been probably too much for the audience of the day but I read the play in my mind that way which made it more interesting to me) Could use a bit of a rewrite but overall it has retained its edge and humor rather well for being over a hundred year old which shows we haven’t change that much since the Victorian age I’m afraid.
January 7, 2019
review coming
July 20, 2020
3/5 🌟
reading rush 2020: read the first book you touch
reading rush 2020: read the first book you touch
April 7, 2022
I loved this play. Delightful read which only took a couple of hours. Since 1902 I don’t think a great deal has changed regarding class.
June 25, 2015
I've never seen a J.M. Barrie play on stage, but they're pretty good in the reading. The Admirable Crichton is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the British class system, and how long that system can endure being stranded on a desert island. While it's clearly satire, it isn't the mean or bitter kind. The real strength of the story is that it's still funny, even a century after it was written.
July 29, 2021
I loved this play.
Want to read
October 18, 2011Saw the play at the Shaw Festival this fall. I'm interested in becoming more acquainted with J. M. Barrie's works, reaching out beyond his most famous work - Peter Pan.
July 10, 2021
I came across the film first. The Admirable Crichton (1957) caught my eye because of the mention of Kenneth More - an actor who I'd enjoyed in some other films of that period, despite his rather wonderful ability in them to be nothing but Very British At All Times. The Admirable Crichton sees More as the titular butler to a rich family who, following circumstances, find themselves shipwrecked on an island. The family cannot cope but Crichton and the 'tweeny' - a maid who's neither nowt nor summit in the social strata - can. The class system inevitably crumbles, everything gets turned upside down, and everybody in the film fights over falling in love with Ken. It's spectacular, intensely British, and I rather loved it enormously.
This, then, is the source - a play script first written in 1902 and bearing some of the most delightful and delicious stage directions I've ever read. Barrie is profuse in his detail here, and there's some immensely wonderful stuff. I was particularly fond of the moment when the Pageboy cheers in response to somebody else's speech. This is the "one moment of prominence in his life. He grows up, marries and has children, but is never really heard of again". Outstanding. But it's all like this. Chatty, verbose, deeply detailed, and pretty brilliant.
I found some interesting hints here towards Barrie's later Peter Pan (1902) and it's super interesting to read through that perspective. I love moments like this - where you can see little echoes of what's to come for a writer. Future echoes, maybe, or hints at great ideas that they were about to explore or look at or come to realise. I'd recommend picking up a copy of the Admirable Crichton for anybody interested in Barrie and his work, but also for those of you interested in those Very Intensely British Commentaries On Class that are pretty much part of our literary DNA at that point. Plus, to be fair, it's worth a recommendation just because it's pretty funny and smartly written stuff. This is stylish, strong and rather outstanding work.
(Still not over everybody fighting over Kenneth in the film mind, I die, I die).
This, then, is the source - a play script first written in 1902 and bearing some of the most delightful and delicious stage directions I've ever read. Barrie is profuse in his detail here, and there's some immensely wonderful stuff. I was particularly fond of the moment when the Pageboy cheers in response to somebody else's speech. This is the "one moment of prominence in his life. He grows up, marries and has children, but is never really heard of again". Outstanding. But it's all like this. Chatty, verbose, deeply detailed, and pretty brilliant.
I found some interesting hints here towards Barrie's later Peter Pan (1902) and it's super interesting to read through that perspective. I love moments like this - where you can see little echoes of what's to come for a writer. Future echoes, maybe, or hints at great ideas that they were about to explore or look at or come to realise. I'd recommend picking up a copy of the Admirable Crichton for anybody interested in Barrie and his work, but also for those of you interested in those Very Intensely British Commentaries On Class that are pretty much part of our literary DNA at that point. Plus, to be fair, it's worth a recommendation just because it's pretty funny and smartly written stuff. This is stylish, strong and rather outstanding work.
(Still not over everybody fighting over Kenneth in the film mind, I die, I die).
February 8, 2021
I read this play because I thought it might have been the germ of inspiration for the character of Kryten in the British TV series "Red Dwarf." Kryten is a housekeeping 'droid on the intergalactic mining ship after which the series is named. Among his other legion and sterling character traits, Kryten is programmed never to lie, that is, until he is taught to do so by his fellow crew members: an evolved cat called Cat, a lout named Dave Lister, an interactive hologram replica of the deceased bungler Arnold Rimmer, and the ship's long-suffering computer, Holly.
What a delight to read Barrie's breezy, if blistering, send-up of the classes! The Admirable Crichton, who is thrust into leadership after a shipwreck, proves comprehensively capable and wise as he takes charge and enables said "betters" not just to survive, but to thrive. How easily the nobility assume the deference of servants, and how seamlessly does Crichton take on his merit-based role as master! This new congeniality proves fertile ground for some unlikely, but genuine, romance.
There is some consternation upon rescue and return to "civilized" life, wherein the useless are again in charge, and the servants are largely left responsible for keeping things ticking over as they should, despite the dimness and presumptions of their "betters." Relationships must be sorted and settled, alas.
Chrichton's genius -- he can never, ever, lie -- is his ability to avoid the naked truth, while preserving with his sub-rosa deftness and acumen, appearances and decorum. There is pathos here, as "proper relationships" are, mostly, reestablished and sustained. Chrichton, however,...
CONCLUSION: the Red Dwarf's Kryten, Serial No. 2X4B 523P, B.S. (Bachelor of Sanitation), a Series 4000 mechanoid by DivaDroid International, is indeed the worthy cyber-descendent of Barrie's admirable butler! (He does learn to lie, if absolutely required, but it makes him stutter.)
What a delight to read Barrie's breezy, if blistering, send-up of the classes! The Admirable Crichton, who is thrust into leadership after a shipwreck, proves comprehensively capable and wise as he takes charge and enables said "betters" not just to survive, but to thrive. How easily the nobility assume the deference of servants, and how seamlessly does Crichton take on his merit-based role as master! This new congeniality proves fertile ground for some unlikely, but genuine, romance.
There is some consternation upon rescue and return to "civilized" life, wherein the useless are again in charge, and the servants are largely left responsible for keeping things ticking over as they should, despite the dimness and presumptions of their "betters." Relationships must be sorted and settled, alas.
Chrichton's genius -- he can never, ever, lie -- is his ability to avoid the naked truth, while preserving with his sub-rosa deftness and acumen, appearances and decorum. There is pathos here, as "proper relationships" are, mostly, reestablished and sustained. Chrichton, however,...
CONCLUSION: the Red Dwarf's Kryten, Serial No. 2X4B 523P, B.S. (Bachelor of Sanitation), a Series 4000 mechanoid by DivaDroid International, is indeed the worthy cyber-descendent of Barrie's admirable butler! (He does learn to lie, if absolutely required, but it makes him stutter.)
January 11, 2020
Firstly, this would be quite difficult to produce, because there are too many characters. Second, there are too many tedious stage directions (yes especially for the acting edition). Third, the trajectory of the play is muddied. Crichton is a proper butler, á la Downton Abbey. Lord Loam, his master, has a notion that the underclass is just as worthy as the upper class, and has a tea for his servants every month to prove it. Crichton despises this charade. In the second act, however, Loam, his daughters, Crichton and a few more of the household retinue are stranded on a desert island, and because Crichton is the only one who can assure their survival, he becomes the lord of the party. When the party is rescued a few years later, the upstairs denizens, as they return to their previous London roles, no longer entertain ideas of "equality" and Crichton, having proven himself to himself, resigns. What is the point, here? The play certainly doesn't upend the class system--or even challenge it. Drawing room comedies are the worst!
February 23, 2023
Who wouldn't want to read a play about witty British upper-crusters?
Originally, in Act I of the play, Crichton serves as butler to the Earl of Loam. That aristocrat talks a good game, at dinner parties, about how British class divisions are unnecessary.
So how satisfying, when in Act II, the Earl, his family and friends, along with butler Crichton, are shipwrecked together on a deserted tropical island! In this act and the next one, Crichton assumes more and more of a leadership role. The butler is, after all, the only person among this privileged group, who actually knows how to DO THINGS.
Act III delivers more of the same, only funnier.
By Act IV, they're all back in England and the characters act more like the way they did at the start of the play.
That J.M was such a rebel. No wonder he wasn't a big fan of class snobbery. In a way, this play was far bolder than "Peter Pan."
Originally, in Act I of the play, Crichton serves as butler to the Earl of Loam. That aristocrat talks a good game, at dinner parties, about how British class divisions are unnecessary.
So how satisfying, when in Act II, the Earl, his family and friends, along with butler Crichton, are shipwrecked together on a deserted tropical island! In this act and the next one, Crichton assumes more and more of a leadership role. The butler is, after all, the only person among this privileged group, who actually knows how to DO THINGS.
Act III delivers more of the same, only funnier.
By Act IV, they're all back in England and the characters act more like the way they did at the start of the play.
That J.M was such a rebel. No wonder he wasn't a big fan of class snobbery. In a way, this play was far bolder than "Peter Pan."
April 9, 2019
I thought I was going to enjoy this rather more than I did. I think the reason I didn't was that I found it dated and, although a fantasy piece, I couldn't get away from its being fantastical and, certainly in Act 3, I couldn't quite suspend my disbelief and enter into the thrill of the romance of it. I also found the egalitarian tea party in Act 1 silly, as well as unfair on a lot of actors who trot on, look uncomfortable, and then presumably spend the rest of the evening in the pub.
Nevertheless, as a well wrought play, it was very pleasurable. I also occasionally do props for a local amdram company, and, if they ever decide to put it on, will avoid volunteering my services for it - as wonderful as the set would look with everything in place. I'm not up for that many teacups, let alone desert island foliage.
Nevertheless, as a well wrought play, it was very pleasurable. I also occasionally do props for a local amdram company, and, if they ever decide to put it on, will avoid volunteering my services for it - as wonderful as the set would look with everything in place. I'm not up for that many teacups, let alone desert island foliage.
June 28, 2019
Now that I have finished this short play I realise why the name seemed familiar - I have seen the movie based upon it, with Sir Kenneth More (probably from the 1940s or 1950s). I think this is a quite fascinating and insightful look at the British class system, given its premier performance was 1902, 117 years ago. To read this today (or to perform this as a play) you would need to expand the first Act considerably to explain the significance of the second Act and why the third Act played out the way it did.
As a review, I quite enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone interested in a short read who has the pre-requisite background knowledge of how the British class system operated 100-150 years ago. If you do not have that knowledge, you may not fully appreciate the events of the play.
As a review, I quite enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone interested in a short read who has the pre-requisite background knowledge of how the British class system operated 100-150 years ago. If you do not have that knowledge, you may not fully appreciate the events of the play.
May 21, 2020
Finally read the original play.
Saw one version (I think on Hallmark Hall of Fame on television in the 1960’s) and then the 1950’s motion picture based on the same story. It is a remarkable read after watching Downtown Abbey. The phenomena of class distinctions in England and “people in service” is clearly illustrated again here. The character of Crichton as a person of great strength yet who does not really belong in this world has always stuck in my head year after year. I think in a way I have always been unsuccessfully trying to find my place in the world knowing that I am less talented and admirable than this title character. If he simply had to cope, what hope is there for me?
Saw one version (I think on Hallmark Hall of Fame on television in the 1960’s) and then the 1950’s motion picture based on the same story. It is a remarkable read after watching Downtown Abbey. The phenomena of class distinctions in England and “people in service” is clearly illustrated again here. The character of Crichton as a person of great strength yet who does not really belong in this world has always stuck in my head year after year. I think in a way I have always been unsuccessfully trying to find my place in the world knowing that I am less talented and admirable than this title character. If he simply had to cope, what hope is there for me?
March 28, 2020
Wow! I had read this in school, sometime, but certainly lacked the context to understand it all.
Now, I'm old, really, and more experienced in the ways of class structure, and stupidity.
Perhaps we need to be older, wiser, or more skeptical, (which I wish that I had the open-mindedness to appreciate the truth of the matter sooner) to truly appreciate the wisdom of this farce than I was when I had to read it when just a child. How unfortunate that I didn't appreciate it sooner.
This is brilliant. I see it all around me now. No longer a comedy.
Now, I'm old, really, and more experienced in the ways of class structure, and stupidity.
Perhaps we need to be older, wiser, or more skeptical, (which I wish that I had the open-mindedness to appreciate the truth of the matter sooner) to truly appreciate the wisdom of this farce than I was when I had to read it when just a child. How unfortunate that I didn't appreciate it sooner.
This is brilliant. I see it all around me now. No longer a comedy.
September 27, 2023
This was my first Barrie and it was GOOD.
I adore Barrie's wit and the way his characters exist in the text, how rich his stage directions are. They really allowed me to imagine the production + they make it worth it to read the play, even though I normally believe plays should be watched as performance. So much would have gone over my head without reading stage directions!!
The plot was amazing, this was basically lord of the flies but without boring ass descriptions of the island, just the fucked up gender/power dynamics. I loved all of it.
I adore Barrie's wit and the way his characters exist in the text, how rich his stage directions are. They really allowed me to imagine the production + they make it worth it to read the play, even though I normally believe plays should be watched as performance. So much would have gone over my head without reading stage directions!!
The plot was amazing, this was basically lord of the flies but without boring ass descriptions of the island, just the fucked up gender/power dynamics. I loved all of it.
March 25, 2021
Barrie had some very definite ideas about British class structure and the difficulty in breaking out of the mold, and never are they more evident than in this play about an upper class family and their always proper and unflappable butler.
It's another one of those classic pieces of English literature that I somehow missed during my many years of schooling and I thoroughly enjoyed filling the gap.
It's another one of those classic pieces of English literature that I somehow missed during my many years of schooling and I thoroughly enjoyed filling the gap.
April 25, 2021
It has been a long time since I've read a play and this was a fun one to read. I really enjoyed the characters and how their roles played out. I thought it was interesting the way the author commented on social class by having the classes switch roles. And I thought it was very sad that everything reverted back to the norm. Poor Crichton.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews