None so Deaf As Those Who Won't Hear: A Comedietta in One Act

"None so Deaf As Those Who Won't Hear: A Comedietta in One Act" by H. Pelham Curtis is a comedic play written in the late 19th century. This one-act play explores themes of deafness and miscommunication, showcasing the humorous situations that arise from the inability of its characters to hear or understand one another effectively. Set in a modern parlor, it highlights the social interactions and domestic life of the period. The story revolves around Singleton Coddle, a father suffering from deafness, and his daughter Eglantine, who longs for companionship but finds herself frustrated by her father's refusal to allow suitors. Eglantine is distressed by her father's overprotectiveness, leading to humorous exchanges with their servant Jane. Meanwhile, a young man named Washington Whitwell unexpectedly enters the scene, complicating matters further as he unknowingly becomes a source of confusion due to his own supposed deafness. As characters misunderstand each other, comedic tension builds until a series of situations unfold that culminate in revelations about love, marriage, and the humorous extremes people will go to when miscommunication reigns. Ultimately, the play highlights the importance of hearing, both literally and metaphorically, in the development of relationships.