Jim Dooley's Reviews > Is She His Wife? Or, Something Singular, a Comic Burletta

IS SHE HIS WIFE? is a question that perplexes a number of characters in this one-Act farce by Charles Dickens. Farce sacrifices characterization for humorous reactions to an outlandish plot event. Some other Dickens attempts in this field would try the patience of the modern Reader. However, I found myself laughing out loud on multiple occasions. The most fun of all was imagining the delivery of the various “asides” and the “looks” of astonishment as characters were aware of what was happening, but determined that it must mean something else.

Dickens playfully engages the human reactions of jealousy and the desire to see oneself as being attractive to others. The drives are so strong that people go to extreme lengths to protect their egos. Although it was not up to the level of the film, “Smiles of a Summer Night,” I was reminded of that show a few times.

IS SHE HIS WIFE? was a pleasant diversion. I would very much enjoy seeing it staged.