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| THE BEAUX' STRATAGEM |
The Travelling Toe and two friends recently attended the Wednesday afternoon presentation of "The Beaux' Stratagem" telecast from the National Theatre in London. The production was showing at the Magnolia Theater, which is at the Modern Art Museum. The telecast was sponsored by Amphibian Stage Productions. The play was written in 1707 by George Farquhar. It was his final play and is considered a "carnal comedy".
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| GEORGE FARQUHAR playwright |
According to the National Theatre's website, the story is about two young men who are in deep financial trouble and are looking for a way to solve their problems.
The ‘Beaux’: Mr Aimwell and Mr Archer, two charming, dissolute young men who have blown their fortunes in giddy London. Shamed and debt-ridden, they flee to provincial Lichfield. Their ‘Stratagem’: to marry for money.
Lodged at the local inn, posing as master and servant, they encounter a teeming variety of human obstacles: a crooked landlord, a fearsome highwayman, a fervent French Count, a maid on the make, a drunken husband, a furious butler, a natural healer and a strange, turbulent priest.
But their greatest obstacle is love. When the Beaux meet their match in Dorinda and Mrs Sullen they are most at risk, for in love they might be truly discovered.
We found the play to be very engaging and funny. We did experience a little issue with the accents (as I am sure they would with us Texans). But the acting was wonderful. English actors just know how to play farce so well. All the cast members were so good in their parts. The costumes were delightful, as was the make-up and hair pieces. This play featured a live band playing original music written for this play, which added another layer of fun to the events taking place on stage.
The next Nation Theatre Live presentation will be "Hamlet" staring the heartthrob of the moment, Benedict Cumberbatch. The Travelling Toe has it on good authority this is an outstanding production. So make plans to go see it.
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