Wappin' Wharf, a Frightful Comedy of Pirates

Comedy, first published in 1922, by American dramatist Charles Stephen Brooks (1878-1934). The setting is the coast of Devon, England. The playwright explains: "Several weeks ago an actor-manager requested me to try my hand at a play for the winter season. The offer was unexpected. "My dear sir," I said, "I am immensely flattered, but I have never written a play." Then I hastened to ask, "What kind of play?" for fear the offer might be withdrawn. He replied with sureness and decision. "I want a play," he said, "with lots of pirates and--no poetry." He stressed this with emphatic gesture. "And at least one shooting," he added. It was a slim prescription. He left me to brood upon the matter. The proposal was too flattering to be rejected out of hand."