The Eldest Son Series 2

The Eldest Son Series 2 by John Galsworthy is a play set in a well-appointed and spacious oak-paneled hall, with a large oak staircase and an inviting log fire burning in the fireplace. The hall connects to the drawing room, dining room, and billiard room, while a door leads to the servants’ quarters. The story centers around Freda Studdenham, a lady’s maid, who stands at the foot of the staircase holding bunches of white and yellow roses. Sir William Cheshire, a man in his late fifties, enters the hall in evening dress, with a sturdy build and a choleric autocracy veiled by thin urbanity. He speaks before reaching the bottom of the staircase. The play explores the dynamic between Sir William, his eldest son, and his family. With Galsworthy’s signature keen observation and emotional depth, The Eldest Son Series 2 offers a powerful portrayal of familial relationships and the complexities of inheritance, class, and tradition.