Synopsis

A grand, panelled office in Lincoln’s Inn, London, late 19th century. The air is thick with secrets and the weight of inherited responsibility.

Edward Voysey, a principled young solicitor, discovers that his father has been embezzling clients’ funds for decades. Faced with an impossible moral dilemma, Edward must decide whether to expose the fraud and ruin his family or continue the deception to protect those he loves. As he grapples with the consequences of his father’s actions, Edward finds himself caught between duty, loyalty, and his own sense of right and wrong.

Harley Granville Barker’s The Voysey Inheritance is a nuanced exploration of ethics, family dynamics, and the corrupting influence of wealth. Through sharp dialogue and complex characterisations, Barker dissects the moral ambiguities of Edwardian society and the often blurry line between respectability and criminality. The play delves deep into questions of personal responsibility, the nature of financial and moral inheritance, and the struggle to maintain integrity in a world that often rewards dishonesty.

As Edward attempts to right his father’s wrongs while navigating family expectations and societal pressures, The Voysey Inheritance offers a penetrating critique of upper-middle-class values and the financial systems that enable exploitation. Barker’s incisive wit and keen understanding of human nature create a compelling drama that resonates with contemporary concerns about white-collar crime, family loyalty, and the price of doing the right thing.