what the butler saw, synopsis

This two act play, full of many ironies, explores the shady private practice of Dr Prentice. This lustful psychiatrist is attempting to seduce Geraldine Barclay, a prospective secretary. However, the unexpected arrival of Mrs Prentice during the "interview" is the inciting force behind the series of conflicts in this play. We learn of Mrs Prentice's situation regarding her own seducer, Nicholas Beckett, who is blackmailing her. To make Mr Prentice's situation worse, his wife hastily promises the secretary position to Nick.

The situation deepens upon the government's inspection by Dr Rance, and we learn the true madness behind Dr. Prentice's clinic. All the while, Sergeant Match is conducting a search for two "confused" offenders and Mrs Prentice can't help but make every situation even more perplexed.

After the nudity, examinations, gender role reversals, straight jackets, drugs and guns comes the inconceivably twisted ending. This outcome will serve as the climax to the novel that Dr Rance will be publishing upon witnessing these outrageous circumstances surrounding the madness of Dr Prentice's private psychiatric clinic.