[3] For many British actresses in the eighteenth century, playing the role of the central heroine, Euphrasia, was an important part of gaining fame.

[5] The play, set in ancient Sicily, opens with the King of Syracuse Evander having been imprisoned by a usurper, Dionysius.

As military aid approaches to free Syracuse from Dionysius, Euphrasia helps her father escape his prison and hides him in her mother's tomb.

Dionysius schemes to kill the soldiers of the opposing army during a false truce, and tells Euphrasia that he will make her watch him murder Evander.

Other cast members included John Palmer as Dionysius, Samuel Reddish as Philotus, Joseph Inchbald as Callipus, Francis Aickin as Melathon, James Aickin as Phocion, John Hayman Packer as Greek Herald and Richard Hurst as Arcas.