January 31 to
'The Royal Family' is a thinly-veiled portrait/parody of the legendary Barrymore family, with particular aim at John and Ethel Barrymore.
The Cavendish clan comprises three generations of legendary American actors: dowager Fanny Cavendish, widow of the premier actor of his day, who at seventy is planning an upcoming tour; brother Herbert, a histrionic player now in his decline; Fanny's daughter Julie (Ethel), at the height of her Broadway fame, and son Tony (John) who has forsaken the stage for Hollywood.
Heralding the third generation of players, Julie's daughter Gwen is just beginning a promising ingenue career.
When Tony rushes home only to flee to Europe, escaping the attentions of a Polish movie star and Gwen shocks the family by marrying a "non-professional", it seems the Cavendish name and reputation is threatened.
Through it all, Fanny rules with a combination of strength, wit, courage, and a sharp tongue, proving that the "show" indeed, "must (and will) go on."