Archives - The Voysey Inheritance

by Harley Granville Barker

Directed by David Thompson

Friday 25th February – Saturday 5th March 1994 in the Auditorium

First produced in 1906, The Voysey Inheritance is about money and morality.

Voysey & Sons is a prosperous and highly respectable firm of solicitors. When the head of the firm dies the family learn that their affluence comes from fraud: their father and grandfather made their money speculating with clients’ capital. Young Edward Voysey inherits the firm and the problem of a huge deficit. The rest of the family persuade themselves that there is no need to reconcile business with morality. No-one need know! Edward insists that the firm’s guilt be admitted, that the family forego their legacies and action be taken to set things right.

Honesty proves difficult and confrontational but makes for a compelling social drama.