PLCN Titles

Living Curiosities or What You Will

by Mary Vingoe

Living Curiosities is inspired by the story of Anna Swan, the 19th century Nova Scotia giantess who was sent to exhibit at P.T. Barnum’s famed American Museum in New York City at the height of the American Civil War. Lonely but determined to make the best of her situation, Anna goes against Barnum’s orders and befriends the other “living curiosities,” developing a strong friendship with the African American performer ‘Alphonsia di Lugar’. Together, they attempt to create a stronger sense of community by staging an unusual version of Twelfth Night with the rest of inhabitants of the museum. When old alliances and bitter feelings threaten to tear the company apart, Anna and Alphonsia are forced to make a heartbreaking decision about their future.

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