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'One no more owes one's beauty to a lover, than one's wit to an
echo.' With the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, the republican
ban on organised theatre was lifted - and plays exploded back onto
the public stage with newfound relish. The arrival of actresses for
the first time encouraged a great sense of release, which expressed
itself in the form of sophisticated comedies exploring the sexual
behaviour and moralities of society. This volume features three of
the most popular Restoration Comedies: The Country Wife by William
Wycherley - a supremely bawdy comedy in which the aptly named
Horner pretends to be a eunuch in order to seduce women under the
noses of their husbands. The Way of the World by William Congreve -
a brilliant comedy of manners, complete with dashing suitor, rich
heiress and vengeful aunt. The Rover by Aphra Behn - the classic
Restoration comedy by one of the earliest and most celebrated
female playwrights. There is also a full introduction about the
plays, playwrights and the period, and a glossary of unfamiliar
words. The Drama Classic Collections bring together the most
popular plays from a single author or a particular period. They
offer students, actors and theatregoers a series of uncluttered,
accessible editions, accompanied by comprehensive introductions.
Hero longing for heiress. Obstacles in the way. Marriage eventually
secured. It sounds simple. But the lasting appeal of this, one of
the most performed and discussed of all Restoration plays, lies in
Congreve's sophisticated grasp of plot, back-story,
characterization and language. Set in high-society London, his
comic masterpiece features scenes of uproarious comedy,
Machiavellian scheming and devastating wit. Its sparring between
sexes is enchanting but shadowed by melancholy and the ethical
uncertainty latent in the title. If this is the way of the world,
are we supposed to cheer, despair, or shrug our shoulders? In this
new edition of William Congreve's The Way of the World, David
Roberts peels back the layers of the plot to tell the story of the
play's stage and critical history from 1700 to the present day,
bringing voices from universities and theatres into debate about
this enigmatic landmark in English comedy. Supplemented by a plot
summary and annotated bibliography, it is ideal for students of
Congreve, comedy and early modern drama.
This is the only available edition of a brilliant novel by the
leading Restoration dramatist and author of The Way of the World.
Masked balls, mistaken identity, and fanciful deceits run riot in
this hilarious tale of love and intrigue by the master of the
Restoration comedy. Returning to Florence on the occasion of his
eighteenth birthday, Aurelian - together with his sworn companion
Hippolito - dons his disguise in anticipation of the famous
Florentine ball. Once there, the two are soon separated, and each
finds himself paired off with a beautiful - and masked - woman.
Whilst Aurelian yearns to learn the true identity of his 'love',
Hippolito is mistaken for another and brazenly plays along with the
conceit. Chaos abounds as masks are dropped, truth revealed, and,
somehow, all ends happily.
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The Mourning Bride - A Tragedy
William Congreve, J. Thornthwaite; Created by James Roberts (Le Jeune)
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R795
Discovery Miles 7 950
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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