THE BEAUX’ STRATAGEM
Restoration Comedy a Timely Romp for Adelaide’s Stirling Players
Adelaide audiences always look forward to shows in the hands of well-known director Dave Simms because he has the happy knack of choosing plays outside the mainstream, adding his signature touch of professionalism to productions and invariably ensuring a hit.
Three hundred years after the play premiered at The Theatre Royal in London’s The Haymarket, Dave Simms will direct The Beaux’ Stratagem, the first show in The Stirling Players’ 2015 season and the hilarious start to the Adelaide Hills theatre company’s Year of Comedy.
Centuries ago, George Farquhar’s laugh-out-loud, energetic ‘boy meets girl’ story went on to become one of the most popular Restoration comedies. With Stirling’s production it finally and deservedly has its Australian premiere.
Thornton Wilder (Our Town) and Ken Ludwig (Noises Off) updated the play’s dialogue during the twentieth century. This made it accessible to modern audiences without losing its historical colour. The play would no doubt be named The Boyfriends’ Trick if its title had also been converted into today’s language.
When handsome young playboys Jack Archer and Tom Aimwell squander their fortunes in London, they develop a strategy still used by such men today. They entrap young heiresses, steal their money and move on to the next town. However, not everything goes according to plan. The motley collection of rogues and other thieves they meet on their travels turn out to be smarter than they expected and so, of course, do the women! Archer and Aimwell are the original dirty rotten scoundrels, but it all goes pear-shaped when the very women they’ve been intent on swindling steal something from them instead…their hearts.
A fine ensemble cast will ensure The Stirling Players' splendidly costumed, corseted and wigged production of The Beaux’ Stratagem is a memorable one. Adam Tuominen and James Edwards are the playboys, Archer and Aimwell. The remaining cast includes Rosie Williams, Anna Bampton, Kate Van der Horst, Lindy LeCornu, Peter Smith, Brian Godfrey, Alan Crawford, Joshua Coldwell, Debbie Tester and Matthew Houston. Costumes by Viki Burrett and Rob Andrewartha.
Described in 2014 as “Comic gold and non-stop hilarity” (Toronto Star), the sheer energy and joyous comedy of The Beaux’ Stratagem has a happy ending, as you’d expect for any self-respecting love story.
Audiences can expect something else from The Stirling Players’ production of this comic caper too…to be exhausted by laughter!
Lesley Reed
WHEN:
Preview: Thursday 19 February, 8pm
Fridays & Saturdays: 20, 21, 27, 28 February, 6 & 7 March at 8pm.
Sundays: 22 February & 1 March at 4pm.
Meet the cast & tour the theatre after the 1 March matinee
WHERE:
Stirling Community Theatre, Avenue Road, Stirling, South Australia
TICKETS:
Adult $20, Concession $16, Groups of 10+ $14. Preview: All tickets $10 (Limited number available).
BOOKINGS:
www.stirlingplayers.sct.org.au / 0414 075 413
Note: Adult themes. Age 13+
Images: Two photos of the cast rehearsing sword fighting; Lindy LeCornu (Lady Bountiful) testing out her Restoration costume & Costume designers, Rob Andrewartha and Viki Burrett.
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