The Second Mrs. Tanqueray: A Play in Four Acts

The Second Mrs. Tanqueray is a four-act play written by Arthur Wing Pinero in 1893, focusing on the complexities of marriage and societal judgment. The story follows Aubrey Tanqueray, who is about to marry Paula, a woman with a controversial past. The play critiques the double standards of Victorian morality, particularly how society views men and women differently regarding their pasts. Notably, it established Pinero as a leading dramatist of serious social issues and starred Mrs. Patrick Campbell in the title role, making it a significant work in the history of English theatre.