The Heiress; a comedy, in five acts

"The Heiress; a comedy, in five acts" by John Burgoyne is a late 1700's drama that portrays a funny story of love and marriage wrapped up in the rules of London society, presented through sharp conversations and funny situations. At the heart of the story, Miss Alscrip, a young woman with money, and Lord Gayville, who wants to marry her, find themselves in a funny back-and-forth relationship. As the story begins, we see Mr. and Mrs. Blandish talking about what society expects and their relationships, which shows how love was often seen like a business deal back then. We also discover Miss Alscrip's dreams and problems as a rich young lady, including what her father wants for her and who she might marry. The funny start to the play sets the scene for a light-hearted look at love when society is putting on the pressure, and also hints at the hard choices people face when deciding between what they want and what their families expect.