Summary
Act I
Ring Around the Moon sweeps open with the charming and debonair Hugo engaged in a lively dialogue with his butler, Joshua. Their conversation circles around Hugo's twin brother, Frederic, who has become quite the spectacle by slumbering beneath the window of his fiancée, Diana Messerschmann, who is currently staying at the family estate. Though identical in appearance, Hugo is a natural with the ladies, while Frederic struggles woefully. Both Hugo and Joshua find Frederic's devotion to Diana rather exasperating, and Hugo hints at a plan to intervene. Hugo exits, and Frederic enters—the twins portrayed by a single actor—prompting a new discussion with Joshua about his unconventional sleeping quarters among the rhododendrons. Frederic casually dismisses any concern, yet his actions betray an unsteady love for Diana. Enter the suave Patrice Bombelles, Messerschmann's male secretary, along with the bold Lady India, Messerschmann's mistress and the cousins to both brothers. The duo's clandestine affair simmers beneath the surface, with Patrice anxious about discovery. Lady India, on the other hand, seems to savor the thrill of possible exposure. As Patrice and Lady India secretly depart, Madame Desmermortes arrives, accompanied by her nephew Hugo, who divulges the scandalous liaison between Lady India and Messerschmann. Furthermore, he mentions Frederic's approaching nuptials with Diana. Madame's discontent is palpable; she views Messerschmann as a mere businessman, not fit for aristocratic company, and fears Diana's assertive nature will overshadow the submissive Frederic. Once more, Hugo hints that the wedding may never come to pass. The scene shifts as Romainville appears. Hugo, with mischievous intent, reveals Romainville's infatuation with a young girl named Isabelle, who has been brought to the countryside under the guise of Romainville's niece. Hugo threatens exposure of this seeming indiscretion unless Isabelle is invited to the estate. Isabelle soon arrives with her mother, who is dazzled by the grandeur of the estate and dreams of marrying Isabelle into wealth. Isabelle, however, believes she is there simply to dance. Upon meeting Hugo, she finds herself distracted by his striking appearance. As they depart, Madame and Joshua enter to plan the night's grand ball. In a flurry of entrances and exits, Hugo engages in an extended chat with Isabelle, revealing Romainville's affection for her and Hugo's scheme to have Frederic fall for Isabelle during the ball, thus liberating him from Diana's clutches. Romainville bursts in with news; Isabelle's mother has recognized Madame's companion, Capulat, as an old friend. Fearing betrayal of their plan, Romainville's concern grows. After a tense meeting with Isabelle’s mother, Romainville realizes she has already divulged too much to Capulat. Hugo resolves to ensure Capulat's silence. However, before he can act, Madame corners Romainville, scrutinizing his supposed kinship with the lovely "niece." Romainville barely navigates this interrogation. The curtain falls on Act I with Capulat pledging to aid Isabelle’s mother in securing Hugo's affection for Isabelle.
Act II
Act II
The curtain rises on a grand ball, where Capulat stealthily drops cryptic hints of Hugo's plan to entice Madame into orchestrating a connection between Hugo and Isabelle. A bewildered Madame, utterly baffled by Capulat’s clues, whisks her away backstage in search of clarity. Meanwhile, Patrice enters deep in conversation with Lady India, her heart burdened by the fear that Messerschmann will unearth their illicit affair. The thrill of this secret liaison sends a shiver of excitement down Lady India’s spine, as she revels in the romantic notion of poverty.
As Messerschmann strides in, Patrice and Lady India hastily retreat, plagued by doubts about whether Messerschmann has discerned their secret. A sequence of brisk, awkward encounters unfolds between Isabelle and Frederic. Just after Hugo...
(This entire section contains 1329 words.)
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steals a kiss from Isabelle to provoke Frederic’s jealousy, she confesses to Frederic that her affections lie not with Hugo, but with him.
In a twist of dramatic plotting, Hugo unveils his scheme to further ignite Frederic’s passions with the introduction of a fictitious rival, threatening to challenge Hugo to a duel unless he withdraws from Isabelle. The clamor of gunfire shall echo as Isabelle feigns despair, attempting to drown herself, only to be heroically "rescued" by Hugo, who will then deliver her into Frederic's arms. Overjoyed by the reunion and flattered by Isabelle’s supposed sacrifice, Frederic will inevitably fall for her charms.
However, Hugo’s elaborate machination only serves to exasperate Isabelle, her unspoken love for Hugo twisting into frustration and disgust. She flees, leaving Hugo to face the consequences of his convoluted stratagems alone. Diana enters, burning with jealousy after witnessing Hugo with Isabelle. In a bid to reclaim his affection, she attempts to coax a declaration of love from him, but Hugo remains unmoved and departs.
Messerschmann appears, only to hear Diana’s grievances about being overshadowed by Isabelle at the ball. In an attempt to reassure his daughter, he vows to rectify the situation. Hugo emerges once more, confronting Patrice and coercing him into playing the role of the jealous lover in his wild charade, with threats of exposing Patrice’s affair should he refuse.
Capulat returns, escorting Isabelle's mother, who is lavishly adorned in the guise of "Countess Funela," a character concocted by Madame to divert her while Hugo and Madame orchestrate romantic entanglements to suit their plans. Romainville arrives in distress, alarmed by Messerschmann’s threats to ruin him financially unless Isabelle is removed from the Desmermortes estate.
Patrice, now in character as the envious suitor, confronts Hugo with a challenge to duel. But by now, Hugo, distracted by Romainville’s panic and the presence of "Countess Funela," has all but forgotten his initial plan.
Act III
In the chaos of Act III, Hugo, his schemes a tangled mess, frantically hatches a new, outrageous plan. Abandoning the ruse of Isabelle’s staged drowning, he aims to unveil her true, humble nature to the affluent guests, shattering their illusions of her as a refined debutante. Yet again, Isabelle, weary of Hugo’s antics, refuses to participate.
Hugo exits, paving the way for Diana’s entrance. She complains to Isabelle about the burdens of wealth, provoking Isabelle’s ire. The ensuing argument escalates until Frederic stumbles upon them, leading Isabelle to mistake him for Hugo and launch into a tirade of affection. Frederic, however, reveals his true identity, adding to the tangled web of emotions.
Displeased by the growing bond between Frederic and Isabelle, Diana declares her intention to leave, demanding Frederic accompany her. Left alone, Isabelle is found by her mother, to whom she confides that the charade is over and they must depart.
As Messerschmann enters, he attempts to bribe Isabelle into leaving, but she stands firm, already resolved to go without his money. His disbelief at her refusal leads to a moment of reckoning, as he and Isabelle rip apart his wealth in a symbolic gesture. Yet, both remain dissatisfied, and Messerschmann hints at his own self-destruction.
In a moment of desperation, Isabelle attempts a real drowning, only to be saved by Hugo. Madame steps in, determined to guide the chaos toward a happy conclusion. She persuades Isabelle to forget Hugo and forges a bond between her and Frederic. Meanwhile, she endeavors to awaken Hugo to his feelings for Diana.
Patrice, still oblivious to the unfolding events, rushes in once more to perform his role as the jealous lover. Lady India arrives with news of Messerschmann’s financial self-sabotage, announcing his intent to sell off his assets. Diana, accepting her father’s newfound poverty, resolves to embrace it and learn from the experience.
Feeling sympathy, Hugo encourages a reconciliation between Frederic and Diana. Romainville enters, intending to propose to Isabelle, only to discover she is now paired with Frederic. Joshua brings a note from Hugo, confessing his love for Diana, whom he believes to be poor. Finally, Messerschmann confirms his financial collapse, which ironically enriches him further. The play concludes with Messerschmann enjoying his usual bowl of noodles, seasoned this time with a dash of salt, in celebration of his unforeseen fortune.
