The West Indian
West Indian, The
Author: Richard Cumberland
First Performance: 1771, London
Published: 1771
Genre: Romantic com. in 5 acts; prose
Setting: London, 1770s
Cast: 9m, 6f, extras
Belcour, son of the merchant Stockwell by a secret marriage, has made his fortune in the West Indies. His father intends to test his son before acknowledging him. Belcour befriends the impoverished Captain Dudley and gives him money. Dudley's son Charles is in love with his cousin Charlotte Rusport, but cannot marry her because he is without means. Belcour has fallen in love with Charles's sister Louisa, and believing her to be ‘an attainable wanton’, proposes that she become his mistress. Charles is so infuriated by this proposal that he challenges Belcour to a duel. When Belcour learns who Louisa is, he apologizes to...
[The entire page is 320 words long]
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