THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 9, 1997 TAG: 9702080086
SECTION: HOME & GARDEN PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: 34 lines
TO COMMEMORATE Valentine's Day, the Hunter House Victorian Museum will present ``Wanted - A Wife: A Victorian Romance Play'' during the next two weekends.
The play is based on a short story titled, ``Wanted - A Wife,'' which appeared in an 1871 edition of ``Godey's Lady's Book and Magazine,'' according to Margaret Elinksy, director of the Hunter House.
The story begins: ``I wonder,'' said pretty Lizzie Thorndyke, looking up from a newspaper, whose columns had held her attention for nearly half an hour, ``I wonder if any of these matrimonial advertisements are ever put in the papers in good faith? Here are no less than five commencing, `Wanted - a wife.' ''
Lizzie Thorndyke is later described in the story as a fair-complexioned, dark-haired beauty with ``a tongue that was the terror of every dull-witted youth in the village, and a love of mischief and excitement that made her the leader in every picnic, festival and frolic for miles around.''
Amused by the matrimonial advertisements, Lizzie decided to answer a few and send photographs, though she wrote under an assumed name and the photographs were not of her.
The Hunter House play re-enacts the antics of Lizzie and those with whom she becomes entangled in her mischievious scheme.
The romance play will be presented at 7 and 8:30 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 14 and 21, and at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 16 and 23. Admission is $3 per adult, and reservations are necessary. Call 623-9814.
The museum, at 240 W. Freemason St. in Norfolk, is closed until March 31, except for special events and tours.