Gentlemen in England emphasizes the freedom the gentry; men in particular enjoyed in the 1880s. Women, especially, those coerced into marriages of convenience, had few rights or freedoms, living lonely, loveless lives while their husbands travelled to exotic locations, or worked in politics, or science, and gallivanted and socialized with whomever they pleased.

Charlotte Nettleship was pushed into an early marriage with, Horace, an older man, by her mother’s family, her father, the hedonistic Egg recognizing a bad match did not stop it. Now she has two grown children, but is depressed and dissatisfied with life. (She and Horace have not spoken to each other directly in years!)

Enter Marvo Chatterway, a mischief maker, and wife abandoner in his 60’s. He returns to London from travels abroad and sparks begin to fly. He is a nightmare of a gossip, and either starts or spreads rumors about his friends and acquaintances. Visiting his friend, Egg, he meets a young scoundrel of an artist, Lupton and insists the three of them visit the Nettleships. Charlotte is taken with the good-looking Lupton, while Lupton admires the beautiful and young Maudie… until miserable Horace walks into his home and sees the father-in-law he detests, Chatterway whom he despises and Lupton trying to woo Maudie, his and Charlotte’s daughter. Chatterway lets loose that Charlotte’s and Horace’s son Lionel has recently become a religious zealot after listening to Father Cuthbert. Horace, a man of science who has lost his faith is furious. He forbids future visits. Charlotte rebels (and Maudie helps) by going to her father’s home in London, and visiting with Chatterway and Lupton...every day!

What follows is a comedy of errors except they aren’t really funny. Charlotte becomes deluded in believing her life will now change for the better. Horace sees he has alienated his family and attempts to rectify the situation. And thankfully, Lionel’s common sense takes over his religious passion. ( )