The Dover Road (play)

The Dover Road is a comedy play written by A.A. Milne, first produced in 1921. The play centers around Latimer, a wealthy and eccentric gentleman who lives in a house near the Dover Road. He makes it his personal mission to intercept eloping couples traveling to the continent via Dover, believing they are rushing into marriage too hastily and without proper consideration. Latimer brings these couples to his home, where he attempts to make them reconsider their decision through comfortable living and philosophical conversation.

The play explores themes of love, marriage, happiness, and the folly of romantic idealism. Latimer's interventions are often unconventional and sometimes manipulative, leading to comedic and thought-provoking situations. The play's humor derives from the clash between Latimer's idealistic intentions and the pragmatic realities of the relationships he disrupts. Characters often undergo unexpected changes of heart, highlighting the complexities of human emotions and the unpredictable nature of love. The Dover Road is known for its witty dialogue, charming characters, and gentle satire of societal expectations surrounding marriage.