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Overview

Synopsis

During Carnival in Naples, anything can happen, especially when it comes to love. Florinda, a Spanish noblewoman, is in love with Belvile, an English cavalier who once saved her life. But her brother Don Pedro believes that Florinda should marry his best friend, the son of the Viceroy of Naples, Don Antonio. While Don Pedro goes out with his friends to celebrate Carnival, Florinda’s sister Hellena convinces the despondent woman to dress up in costume and go out on the town in celebration--she might have a chance encounter with Belvile along the way! Belvile, an exiled Royalist, surrounded by his friends, pines for Florinda, and as Hellena predicted, the ladies encounter the English during the celebrations. Hellena, looking for some fun before she takes her vows at the convent, is attracted to Willmore, the rover and a scoundrel. But in addition to flirting with Hellena, Willmore also captures the attention of the beautiful courtesan Angellica Bianca--a woman desired by both Don Pedro and Don Antonio. Toss in disguises and mistaken identities, a few sword fights, and a wench with a trap door, and this will indeed be an interesting night! First performed in 1677, The Rover is a comic romp of love and lust in Restoration-era Italy.

Show Information

Book
Aphra Behn
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1677
Genres
Comedy, Romance
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Naples, Italy, 1650s
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Florinda

Lead

Female

Hellena

Lead

Female

Belvile

Lead

Male

Willmore

Lead

Male

Valeria

Supporting

Female

Angellica Bianca

Supporting

Female

Moretta

Supporting

Female

Callis

Supporting

Female

Lucetta

Supporting

Female

Don Antonio

Supporting

Male

Don Pedro

Supporting

Male

Frederick

Supporting

Male

Blunt

Supporting

Male

Stephano

Featured

Male

Phillipo

Featured

Male

Sancho

Featured

Male

Biskey

Featured

Male

Sebastian

Featured

Male

Diego

Featured

Male

Company

Ensemble

Either Gender

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress