Class 9 play, ‘The Beaux Stratagem’

‘The Beaux Stratagem’ by George Farquhar, adapted by Thornton Wilder and Ken Ludwig. Directed by Jane Diamond.

Over the past four weeks, Class 9 students have been fully immersed in Drama Main Lesson play, ‘The Beaux Stratagem’ by George Farquhar, adapted by Thornton Wilder and Ken Ludwig. The play was written in the late Restoration period of 1707 by George Farquhar, an era renowned for witty and satirical comedies that made fun of the aristocratic and wealthy classes. This adaption is a reworking of the original by 20^th century playwright, Thornton Wilder and contemporary American playwright, screen writer and author, Ken Ludwig, who is still writing to this day. The play has been adapted to appeal to a contemporary audience without losing the essence of the original writing by Farquhar.

In the late Restoration period, England had undergone significant political change from 1660 onwards when Charles II became king after his exile in Europe, he had spent much of his time exposed to the theatricality of the French courts. The years prior, 1649-1660 were repressive years known as the Protectorate and were set against the background of the British Civil Wars, this period was under the governance of protestant, Sir Oliver Cromwell and later his son, Richard Cromwell. During this time all theatres were closed, and life was restrictive and puritan. However, the exiled Charles II reinstated all theatres in 1660, including momentously allowing women to appear on stage for the first time, life in England had become a free and more open society. Theatre thrived; there was an uptick in playwrights writing comedies about the aristocracy and country folk with wonderful acerbic wit and satire.

The story of the play sees two well to do friends Jack Archer and Thomas Aimwell, who have spent their money in London and are down to their last 200 pounds, are travelling through the countryside with the plan that they will find and marry a wealthy woman and equally divide the dowry. They devise a scheme or stratagem of alternating the role of master and servant between them as they travel from town to town, in the hope of meeting a young, single, wealthy woman whom they can marry. They arrive at the Lichfield Inn, Staffordshire, operated by Will Boniface who is also running a robbery business on the local highways and byways with the stolen goods moving through his hands at the inn. His daughter Cherry is in on the duplicitous nature of her father’s actions and business dealings. At the inn, Archer and Aimwell meet various colourful characters who lead them to meet the wealthy Kate Sullen and Dorinda Bountiful whom they plan to rob, however unexpectedly fall in love with the women and their original plans of theft are put awry.  The play ends happily with everyone finding their true love and the underlying theme of being true to oneself is the way to happiness.

Class 9 students not only performed their character roles, but they also played the music, managed props and quick set changes, and for some students, sword fight choreography. It was an incredible effort and the students demonstrated great maturity in their unwavering commitment, persistence and a genuine enthusiasm for the play and the creative process.

‘The Beaux Stratagem’ was performed at the Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre, on Wednesday May 8, 2024, for a very well received and successful matinee and evening performance. The students' hard work truly paid off in these two outstanding performances were both audiences were delighted, laughing out loud at the many humorous moments throughout the play.

Jane Diamond
Drama Teacher