FOUR STARS
IN the late 17th and
early 18th centuries divorce was almost unobtainable. Yet it is this
that formed the basis of George Farquhar’s final play, the fabulous
carnal comedy The Beaux' Stratagem.
A new version of the
Irish dramatist's play is now on at the National Theatre and it is a
real treat.
It follows the exploits
of a couple of cads - Aimwell and Archer - who go about the country
trying to cadge money, a good time and rich wives.
Fleeing London with not
a bean to their name, they arrive at a Lichfield inn where both men
shamelessly set about trying to woo the women while recouping some of
their fortune.
To do so they pretend
to be an aristocrat and his manservant and along the way encounter a
glorious variety of characters including 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.
However in trying to
make their fortune they meet their match in the beautiful Dorinda -
who positively revels in her unmarried freedom and the equally
beautiful Mrs Sullen, unhappily married to the aptly named Mr Sullen.
The play is remarkable
because it looks at the frustrations within a marriage from a woman's
point of view - in this case poor Mrs Sullen who has found herself
hitched to such a boorish man, who we first see practically comatose
from drink at the inn.
The production scores
on all levels in particular the fantastic set which changes swiftly
from a stately home to a rural inn.
The cast too is top
notch and features some great performances. Pippa Bennett-Warner is
delightful as Dorinda and Susannah Fielding is fabulous as Mrs Sullen
while Pearce Quigley puts in an hilarious performance as Sullen’s
servant, Scrub.
But it is the brilliant
double act of Samuel Barnett as Aimwell and Geoffrey Steatfeild as
Archer that makes this production stand out. Oozing swagger and
charm, they prowl the stage, constantly on the make, eyes darting and
ready to pounce at a moments notice. It is blissfully funny to watch.
The Beaux' Stratagem is
on at the National Theatre until Sunday, September 20. Tickets from
£15. Visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk or call the box office on 020
7452 3000.
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