A Bold Stroke for a Husband by Hannah Cowley

A Bold Stroke for a Husband by Hannah Cowley

A Bold Stroke for a Husband by Hannah Cowley is a comedic play first performed in 1783. The story follows Olivia, a young woman determined to marry for love rather than obey her controlling father’s wishes. To secure her happiness, she devises a clever scheme involving disguise and deception. Meanwhile, various romantic entanglements and misunderstandings unfold, highlighting themes of female agency, wit, and social expectations. With sharp dialogue and humorous twists, the play critiques traditional gender roles while celebrating love and intelligence. Ultimately, Olivia’s cunning ensures a satisfying and triumphant resolution. Summary by Dream Audio Books

Episodes

October 4, 2023 36 mins
Act I: The Scheme Begins – Victoria devises her bold plan to outwit Don Carlos and reclaim her independence. The city of Madrid becomes the perfect backdrop for a plot full of hidden identities.
Summary by Dream AudioBooks
Mark as Played
Act II: Masks and Manipulations – Disguised as a man, Victoria enters Don Carlos’ household. She begins sowing confusion and gathering secrets, playing each character like a game of chess. Summary by Dream AudioBooks
Mark as Played
October 4, 2023 33 mins
Act III: Alliances and Confessions – Emotions rise and loyalties are tested. Don Julio starts to suspect something deeper is at play, as Victoria’s clever ruse starts to unravel the truth behind the men around her. Summary by Dream AudioBooks
Mark as Played
October 4, 2023 25 mins
Act IV: The Heart Revealed – Victoria's disguise becomes more difficult to maintain. As love and pride collide, she must decide whether the risk is worth the emotional cost of exposure. Summary by Dream AudioBooks
Mark as Played
October 4, 2023 36 mins
Act V: The Triumph of Wit – Truths come to light, reputations are restored (or ruined), and Victoria’s boldness earns her a satisfying and surprising victory. The curtain closes on justice, romance, and poetic retribution. Summary by Dream AudioBooks
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Betrayal Season 5

    Saskia Inwood woke up one morning, knowing her life would never be the same. The night before, she learned the unimaginable – that the husband she knew in the light of day was a different person after dark. This season unpacks Saskia’s discovery of her husband’s secret life and her fight to bring him to justice. Along the way, we expose a crime that is just coming to light. This is also a story about the myth of the “perfect victim:” who gets believed, who gets doubted, and why. We follow Saskia as she works to reclaim her body, her voice, and her life. If you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team, email us at betrayalpod@gmail.com. Follow us on Instagram @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.