The Beaux’ Stratagem by George Farquhar
Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th April 1999
The Civic Hall, Trowbridge
Aimwell and Archer are two fashionable beaux, on the lookout for an heiress to marry so they can repair their fortunes. To help their scheme, Archer poses as Aimwell’s servant when they arrive in the city of Lichfield. Aimwell insinuates himself into friendship with the beautiful Dorinda, daughter of Lady Bountiful. Meanwhile, Archer strikes up an extremely worldly friendship with Kate, Dorinda’s sister-in-law. She’s unhappily married to Sullen, a parody of a country squire, mad for hunting and eating and (especially) drinking.
Obstacles to a happy ending include the fact that Kate’s husband despises her; that the innkeeper’s saucy daughter, Cherry, has fallen in love with Archer; that Lady Bountiful, who is extremely over-protective of Dorinda’s virtue, mistakenly believes herself to be a great healer of the sick, while a band of brigands plans to rob Lady Bountiful that very night.
Directed by
Sylvia Seaman
Cast
Aimwell, a gentlemen of broken fortunes
Archer, a gentlemen of broken fortunes
Sullen, a country squire
Scrub, Servant to Squire Sullen
Bonniface, Landlord of the inn
Sir Charles Freeman
Count Bellair, A French Officer, prisoner at Lichfield
Foigard, An Irishman, posing as a chaplain to the French
Gibbet, A Highwayman
Hounslow, companion to Gibbet
Bagshot, companion to Gibbet
Lady Bountiful, a country gentlewoman, mother of Squire
Dorinda, Lady Bountiful’s daughter
Mrs Sullen, her daughter-in-law
Gypsey, Maid to the ladies
Cherry, Daughter of the Landlord of the inn
Country Woman
Servant
Scott Glass
David Seaman
Mark Rhodes
Andrew Greaves
Jerry Pink
David Bailey
James Shadwell
Clive Greaves
Lee Ingram
Peter Mundy
Phil Cooper
Mary Saunders
Rebecca Mayo
Kate Russell
Emma Holmes
Jo Rhodes
Helen Cosslett
Rosie Jewel
