Freezing a Mother-in-Law; or, Suspended Animation: A farce in one act (eBook)

T. Edgar Pemberton's 'Freezing a Mother-in-Law; or, Suspended Animation' plunges into the heart of Farce, a timeless genre that both critiques and delights in human folly. Set in the 19th century, the play delves into the farcical world of Walter Litherland's singular quest to save his unwitting mother-in-law, Mrs. Watmuff, from an experiment teetering on the brink of absurdity. Pemberton's adept handling of the English language, married with a robust understanding of comedic timing, lends this one-act play a lively and engaging literary style that operates within a tradition of satirical works, drawing on the era's scientific curiosities and domestic relations to fashion its humor and societal critiques. The content, rich with language that reflects its era, positions the play within a broader literary context of Victorian satire and farcical entertainment. T. Edgar Pemberton, a lesser-known figure in literary circles, emerges in 'Freezing a Mother-in-Law' as a purveyor of comedic relief while also subtly reflecting society's infatuation with scientific advancement and its sometimes questionable forays into experimentation. Although specific biographical details that would shine a direct light on Pemberton's motivations are scarce, one can surmise that his work sought to echo and exaggerate the anxieties and peculiarities of his time, in particular the shifting dynamics within family structures and the burgeoning fascination with experimental science, which he satirizes through the bizarre mechanism of cryogenic experimentation within the domestic sphere. 'Freezing a Mother-in-Law' is poised to engage readers and audiences who appreciate the gleeful absurdity nestled within human endeavours. Pemberton's farce promises not only an amusing romp through the perils of pseudo-scientific ambition but also an intriguing glimpse into the Victorian social fabric. This play comes highly recommended for aficionados of comedy and scholars interested in the intersection of science, society, and the arts during this vividly complex period of history.