"Will and No Will" is a thought-provoking and gripping novel that delves into the complex world of family dynamics, legal disputes, and the consequences of one man's decision to leave his estate to his two sons, one with a will and one without. Charles Macklin masterfully weaves together a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, as they witness the power struggles, emotions, and moral dilemmas that arise within the family as they navigate the legal system and attempt to navigate their father's legacy. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the plot is full of unexpected twists and turns that will keep readers engaged until the very end. Overall, "Will and No Will" is a captivating and thought-provoking read that is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who picks it up.

Book Description:
This "Afterpiece" - a short play to follow a main production - was first produced in 1746. It was based on Regnard's five-act comedy le Legetaire Universel (1707), which is itself a composite of Italian comedy with echoes of Molière, moving from scene to scene with little effort at logical consistency or structure but treating each scene autonomously for its own comic value. The rather long Prologue to A WILL AND NO WILL (11 pages of manuscript) makes fun of the convention of the eighteenth century prologues by the familiar dodge of having actors chatting as though they were in the Pit waiting for the actors in the preceding main play to dress for the afterpiece.