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Overview
Synopsis
Archer and Aimwell, two recently impoverished rakes, decide to pose as a wealthy gentleman and his manservant in order to find wealthy wives and restore their fortunes. They arrive in the country town of Litchfield with this intention in mind. Posing as his older brother, "Lord" Aimwell, Aimwell is drawn to a beautiful local heiress, Dorinda. While the ever-pragmatic and lustful Archer finds himself attracted to her sister-in-law, Mrs Sullen, who is trapped in an unhappy marriage to a drunken, country blockhead. Despite beginning their journey as cynical fortune hunters, a series of wild schemes, revealing amorous declarations, and a dramatic robbery attempt, turn Archer and Aimwell’s questionable intentions into a celebration of the joy of marriage... and also the liberation of divorce!
Show Information
- Book
- George Farquhar
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1707
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Litchfield, England, 1700s
- Cast Size
- large
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Large Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
Songs
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
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher