Regents Restoration drama series

Nicholas Rowe

Set against the rigid expectations of rank and reputation, this 1703 tragedy follows Calista, a noblewoman bound by an arranged marriage to a virtuous soldier while her heart is pulled toward the charismatic Altamont. As jealousy and desire collide, a rakish nobleman’s influence threatens to unravel her loyalties, forcing Calista to navigate the dangerous space between love, duty, and public honor. With its tightly wound plot and emotionally charged reversals, the play examines how betrayal can masquerade as passion—and how repentance is tested when the damage is already done. Nicholas Rowe’s dramatic style blends classical tragedy with vivid character conflict, delivering a compelling study of moral choice, self-deception, and the cost of broken vows.