HOBSON'S CHOICE

By Harold Brighouse

Performed at The Nuffield Theatre Southampton on 16th to 21st June, 1980

Cast

For the Maskers

The Author

Harold Brighouse was born in Eccles, Lancashire on July 26th, 1892. He was one of the most notable of the so called Manchester school of dramatists. a small group of young men, including Brighouse, Stanley Houghton and Alan Monkhouse., whose plays were introduced by Annie Elizabeth Horniman at her repertory theatre in Manchester. He was a master of Lancashire dialepct and a student of provincial humour and reached an early high spot in his career when he combined these talents with superb characterisation in tonight’s play Hobsons Choice

Brighouse died In London on July 25th 1958.

Hobsons Choice was, surprisingly, first performed in New York on November 2nd., 1915 and subsequently at the Apollo Theatre, London,, on June 22nd. 1916. Since that time. the wily manoeuverings of Henry Horatio Hobson, in his efforts to keep his eldest daughter Maggie an old maid, have given pleasure to millions both on stage and. of course, on the cinema screen.

I had. in my ignorance. intended to say something about the title of Brighouse's play passing into popular use in the English language. At the last minute, however, the gap in my education was filled and, for the benefit of those who share my shortcoming, may I say that the term 'Hobsons Choice'., meaning a choice of one or none, derives from one Hobson, a Cambridge horse hirer who gave his customers no choice but to take the horse nearest the stable door.