A Desperate Game is a mid-nineteenth century play written by John Maddison Morton whose work is often characterized as “comic drama”. The best definition of that is a drama with comedy which better fits Shakespeare than Morton. But the other term that you would be tempted to use is melodrama which does not do A Desperate Game justice until the last few scenes.

Most of a dangerous game describes a serious situation being played out by incompetent characters. Two lovers fight for the affection of a widowed lady of the Manor (DeBenedetto sets the story in New York, but the original play was England) who was land and house rich, but financially poor until she inherits $15,000 dollars from a rich relative and suddenly becomes an attractive catch. She, Mrs Somerton (Stephainie Sottle), is attended by her man servant, David (Alex Silverman) and relative/friend (added to the play by Debenedetto), Patrick (Charles Kennedy IV). Neither of them are very bright but are completely deferential to Mrs. Somerton.

The two potential lovers are a distant cousin, Percy Postlewaite (Paul Maurizio) and Captain Ratcliffe (Ted Doyle). Postlewaite has been promised Mrs. Somerton’s hand, but only seeks her inheritance as he plots to be with his lover with Mrs. Somerton’s money as soon as he is married. Ratcliffe, on the other hand, is introduced to us as a thief who intends to steal Mrs. Somerton’s money and then “rescue” her by marrying her after her misfortune. He has been stalking her and ploting for weeks before he enters the Manor to complete his theft.

Mrs. Somerton returns from a dance with Patrick when she is suddenly confronted by Ratcliffe. He requires her to surrender her cash through threats on her life and when the hidden Percy eventually comes into the picture he shows his cowardice. All of this is a bit silly, but there is also the sense of danger from Ratcliffe.

It is then revealed that Ratcliffe (who up to now has been in disguise) is an old friend of Percy’s and has been recently named the Superintendent of Police. Percy fetches him to solve the theft. Mrs. Somerton, by far the brightest of the five charcters, recognizes Ratcliffe’s voice, but becomes more disenchanted with Percy’s plot than Ratcliffe’s stalking, threats and theft. She kicks Percy aside to be with Ratcliffe.

DeBenedetto does an excellent job directing the actors and making use of the small Beekman Theater space. The actors, with the exception of Maurizio who never seems to be able to display the right level of contemptuous behavior, do an excellent job.

The play, although making Mrs. Somerton the smartest character, ultimately makes her succumb to the position of women in the Victorian era, and choose a man as her protector. A playwright today would have her kick both Percy and Ratcliffe aside and made her the master of her own fate. But recognizing the period when the play was written – 40 years before George Bernard Shaw was able to show that there was a market for some of the most feminist works to ever written – Morton’s portrayal of the intelligence of Mrs. Somerton does show some courage.