Lively plays for live people

"Lively Plays for Live People" by Thomas S. Denison is a compilation of amusing plays, probably from the late 1800s, showcasing a range of funny and over-the-top stories. The book highlights multiple plays, suggesting a concentration on lightheartedness and societal observations through different comical situations, like those dealing with twins and oddball people in strange difficulties. The book starts with the play, "Topp's Twins," which centers on Cadwalader Topp, a grumpy oyster seller with a strange love for adopting twins because of his family's custom. During a whirlwind of mix-ups and funny interactions with different people, like a sassy traveling salesman and the strong-willed Mrs. Twiggs-Knott, Topp's wish for twins triggers a hilarious series of events. The story cleverly blends the ideas of love, competition, and societal norms, implying an enjoyable read packed with energetic conversations and situational comedy.