CANDIDA
James Morell is a Protestant minister and socialist activist, acclaimed for his oratorical charisma and beloved by most women, certainly by his wife Candida. Much of his charm lies in his innocence–that is, his obliviousness to reality. The charm is double-edged and dangerous; it can bring pain to others–such as Proserpine Garnett, the secretary who languishes with love for him–and to himself, as when it prevents him from recognizing the potential threat posed by a younger rival. That rival is Eugene Marchbanks, 18 years old and burning with passion for life in general and Morell’s wife specifically. Welcomed as a sort of surrogate son into the couple’s home, Marchbanks finally declares himself a competitor with his benefactor for Candida’s love. At first astounded, Morell finds himself in a strange and uncomfortable position: he must take stock of himself, what he is and what he has to offer. And, according to his nature, he must do so ethically, without succumbing to his perfectly natural initial instinct to punch Marchbanks’s head off.
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dida’s wily father and Christopher Cartmill as a befuddled curate.
