The Beaux' Stratagem
November 2004
by George Farquhar, directed by Alan Caig
Cast: Boniface, landlord of the inn - Anthony Morris Cherry, the landlord's daughter in the inn - Jacky Davies Servants in the inn - Rose Gander, Mick Munns & Harold Revill Passengers from the Warrington - Margaret Butt, Elke Meredith, Chris Williams & Members of the Company Two gentlemen of broken fortunes, the first as master, and the second as servant: - Thomas Aimwell - David Batty Francis Archer - John Palmer Dorinda, Lady Bountiful's daughter - Chloe Bardolf-Smith Mrs. Sullen, Lady Bountiful's daughter-in-law, wife to Squire Sullen - Bridget Deasy Squire Sullen, a Country Blockhead, brutal to his wife - Christopher Redwood Scrub, servant to Squire Sullen - Nick Jones Gibbet, a Highwayman - Philip Jones Gipsy, maid to the Ladies - Tini Kay Foigard, a Priest, Chaplain to the French Officers - John Marshall Count Bellair, a French Officer, prisoner at Lichfield - Gordon Halliday A Countrywoman - Rose Gander Lady Bountiful, an old, civil, Country Gentlewoman, that cures all her neighbours of all distempers, and foolishly fond of her son, Squire Sullen - Mary Jones Companions to Gibbet: - Hounslow - Eric Hume Bagshot - Cass Thorne Sir Charles Freeman, a Gentleman from London, brother to Mrs. Sullen - James Stonall | Production Team: Director - Alan Caig Production Manager - Margaret Butt Stage Manager - Jan Caig Set Designer - Clare Girvan Set Construction - Philip Keen & Mark Davies Set Decoration - Sarah Hamlin Lighting - Stuart Yerrell & Ben Fricker Music - Geoffrey Brace & Ben Beeson Props - Elke Meredith & Sheila Wall Prompt - Margaret Butt Publicity - Mary Jones Posters - Philip Keen Programme - Philip Jones Front of House - Lynn Trout |
Reviews:
From Estuary News (Preview):
... theme of romantic deception for financial gain...
The opening night of the Estuary Players' next production, George Farquhar's classic Restoration comedy The Beaux Stratagem, is now only a few days away and the large cast is getting down to some very detailed rehearsing to make sure that the show is ready for the big day. More than 20 people are taking part in this fast-moving production of a play which first graced the stage in 1708, at the height of the trend for sophisticated comedy.
The Players are pulling out all the stops to do justice to the astonishing fashion of the time, with their lace, wigs and stunning frocks. Alan Caig, who is directing with the company for the first time, said, 'we have had to practise just walking and talking in these fabulous clothes, because you simply cannot behave in a 21st century way in 18th century clothing.'
...
Farquhar's early career as an actor in Dublin ended in near-tragedy when he severely wounded a fellow actor with an un-blunted sword in a stage duel. He was so shaken that he never acted again but became a playwright. The Beaux Stratagem and its theme of romantic deception for financial gain drew on his own experience because he had married a widow with two children believing she was rich, only to discover that she was penniless. It was his last play for by the time he began writing he was seriously ill - but he drove himself to complete the script in 6 weeks, having received £30 in advance for the copyright. It was an immediate and continuing success but Farquhar died soon after its first performance at the age of 29.
Photos:
Click a thumbnail to view larger
