This collection investigates the landscape of solo performance for women during a pivotal era of theatrical development, from 1800 to 1914. It compiles monologues from lesser-known plays of the 19th century, drawing from both English and European theatrical traditions. The work aims to provide actors and scholars with access to a diverse range of dramatic texts suitable for solo performance, highlighting the varied roles and emotional expressions available to female performers of the period.

This compilation offers a valuable resource for actors and theatre historians interested in the performance practices of the 19th and early 20th centuries. By focusing on monologues from less frequently performed plays, it expands the available repertoire beyond the standard canon. The inclusion of both English and European works provides a broader perspective on the theatrical landscape for women during this era.