PODCAST · arts

Beau's Duel, or A Soldier for the Ladies

by Susanna Centlivre

A comedy, this was Centlivre's second play, first presented in 1702, and in her prologue she has made a big deal of the fact that this play has been written by a woman. The title tells you what we have here: We have Dueling Suitors for the affections of a young Lady and her heiress cousin, and we have Soldiers "from Conquest back return'd with Laurels Crown'd,where from the Fair, their just Rewards they found". Add in the Lady's Father, a former Mistress, a Fop, and a Fortune-Hunter, and it's time for a rollicking farce. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Colonel Manly, in love with Clarinda: Adrian Stephens Captain Bellmein, his Friend: Elijah Fisher Toper, an Enemy to Matrimony and a Friend to the Bottle: ToddHW Sir William Mode, a Fop, in Love with Clarinda, and contenanced by her Father: Beeswaxcandle Ogle, a Fortune-Hunter, a conceited Fellow that fancies every Body is in Love with him: Greg Giordano Carefull, Father to Clarinda: Inkell Clarinda, in Love with Manly: valroth Emilia, he