The Beaux' Stratagem is a comedy written by George Farquhar (1678-1707). This production runs for 2 hours 30 minutes with a 15-minute interval.

Boniface (Denis Delahunt) is the landlord of an inn where half the action is set. The rest happens at the house of Lady Bountiful (Jennie Lathan). Boniface lives with his daughter Cherry (Susanna Tidy) and they both conspire with Gibbet, a highwayman (Hadleigh Wood) to rob people.

Aimwell (Gareth Rubin) and Archer (Richard McStay) are two gentlemen of broken fortunes - short of luck and going from town to town parting heiresses from their money. The two women they set eyes on are Mrs Sullen (Lucy Le Messurier) who is stuck in a loveless marriage, and her sister-in-law Dorinda (Beatrice Rose). Things go horribly wrong when people start to fall in love.

It's a comedy of love and marriage with a wonderfully sharp script feeling as relevant today as it may have done 300 years ago. Costumes are amazing - looking as good as those at the National Theatre. The set impresses, and the cast stay in character as they change it. Performances are strong. Richard McStay plays Archer with charm and assurance. Gareth Rubin brings the authority of a natural romantic lead to Aimwell. Lucy Le Messurier's Mrs Sullen has strong echoes of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind - strong and sexy. The marriage of her Mrs Sullen and husband (Paul Strickland) is transfixing to watch - taking the action back to the time of its creation.

This production is very much an acted piece. It is not naturalism nor is it overtly realistic. Sword-fighting feels expert and there's even some dancing. In all - a very funny romp.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Denis Delahunt - Boniface. Jennie Lathan - Lady Bountiful. Oliver Laundy - Bagshot / Sir Charles Freeman. Lucy Le Messurier - Mrs Sullen. Beatrice Rose - Dorinda. Gareth Rubin - Aimwell. Richard McStay - Archer. Lane Paul Stewart - Scrub. Paul Strickland - Squire Sullen / Hounslow. Susanna Tidy - Cherry/ A Country women. Alex Topham Tyerman - Gipsy. Johnny Vivash - Foigard / Count Bellair. Hadleigh Wood - Gibbet.

Company Credits: Writer - George Farquhar. Director - Michael Sargent. Assistant Director - Denis Delahunt. Lighting, Sound, Technical - Derek Drescher. Design Consultant - Katy Daniels.

END

(c) Catherine Balavage 2007

reviewed Wednesday 12 December 2007 / The Courtyard Theatre.

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008