Between the Acts

Between the Acts is a novel set on a typical summer afternoon in June 1939, on a country estate in England called Poyntz Hall. It centres on the production of an annual pageant that the villagers hold on a terrace outside the estate. There is a Victorian era in the pageant, another short love-based comedy and singing medley, and then the pageant turns into pandemonium when a series of actors dressed as demons and elves prance about armed with a mirror to show the audience their own image. It is revealed that Giles's lover is Mrs. Manresa, and they have a tryst in the isolated greenhouse. William and Isa also have a connection in the greenhouse, but they refrain from any untoward behaviour.