East of Suez: A Play in Seven Scenes

"East of Suez: A Play in Seven Scenes" by W. Somerset Maugham is a dramatic play written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in Peking, where themes of cultural conflict, identity, and the complications of love are explored through the lives of several key characters, including Daisy, George Conway, and Harry Anderson. The play delves into the complexities of Daisy's mixed heritage and the social implications of her romantic choices, particularly regarding her relationship with Harry and her past with George. The opening of this play vividly sets the scene in Peking, creating a bustling atmosphere filled with various shops and characters. We meet Harry Knox, who appears to be carefree, alongside his friend Henry Anderson, who is excited to see George Conway upon his return from a trip. As their conversation unfolds, George expresses concern for Harry's romantic interest in Daisy, who carries her own heavy past as a Eurasian woman. A rich tapestry of dialogue reveals underlying tensions and hints at the complexities of identity, love, and societal expectations, particularly as George discovers more about Daisy's background and the potential repercussions of her marrying Harry. The pace and energy of the opening scenes establish a multi-layered narrative that promises deep emotional conflicts and social commentary as the plot progresses. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

William Somerset Maugham was an English writer, known for his plays, novels and short stories. Born in Paris, where he spent his first ten years, Maugham was schooled in England and went to a German university. He became a medical student in London and qualified as a physician in 1897. He never practised medicine, and became a full-time writer. His first novel, Liza of Lambeth (1897), a study of life in the slums, attracted attention, but it was as a playwright that he first achieved national celebrity. By 1908 he had four plays running at once in the West End of London. He wrote his 32nd and last play in 1933, after which he abandoned the theatre and concentrated on novels and short stories.