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Premiered in 1773, She Stoops to Conquer broke the mould with its satirical swipe at polite society. It tells the story of young Charles Marlow and his search for the perfect wife. Inept in the art of love, he’s unable to woo ladies of the upper class, but when he falls for the barmaid he ends up getting more than he bargained for.
A Laughing Matter opens in 1773 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The crowd is getting restless. The leading man’s unconscious but the show must go on. This irreverent version of real-life events tells the story of David Garrick, Dr Johnson, Oliver Goldsmith and a new play called She Stoops to Conquer. Caught between financial pressures and artistic ambition, Garrick must decide if he can risk staging a play which could make or break his career.
Cast: Nigel Cooke, Stephen Beresford, Christopher Staines, Monica Dolan, Ian Redford, Fritha Goodey, Owen Sharpe, Bella Merlin, Jason Watkins, Jane Wood, Matthew Sim
Director: Max Stafford-Clark Designer: Julian McGowan Lighting: Johanna Town Music: Paddy Cunneen Sound: Neil Alexander Choreographer: Wendy Allnutt Assistant Director: Matthew Wilde
‘a superb double of comic infiltration’ Daily Mail
‘generates more ideas in an evening than most West End shows do in a 12-month run’ Observer
‘cheekily transformative intelligence and vigour’ London Evening Standard
‘a terrific double bill… a superbly versatile company of 11 actors gloriously inhabit both plays‘ Sunday Express