She Would If She Could
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| She Would If She Could | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Written by | George Etherege |
| Date premiered | 6 February 1668 |
| Place premiered | Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre, London |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Restoration Comedy |
She Would If She Could is a 1668 comedy play by the English writer George Etherege. It was originally staged at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre by the Duke's Company. The play's novelty lies in its shedding of the romantic verse element to attain a unified tone.[1] The play deals with the lustfulness of Cockwood couple; the title referring to Lady Cockwood looking for an opportunity to cheat Sir Oliver Cockwood.
The original cast included William Smith as Courtall, John Young as Freeman, Henry Harris as Sir Joslin, James Nokes as Sir Oliver, Moll Davis as Getty and Anne Shadwell as Lady Cockwood.[2]
Plot[edit]
Dramatis Personae[edit]
Sir Oliver Cockwood - Country Knight
My Lady Cockwood - His Wife
Sir Joslin Jolly - Country Knight, friend of Sir Oliver
Mr Courtall - Honest Gentleman of The Town
Mr Freeman - Friend of Mr Courtall
Ariana & Gatty - Young Ladies and Relations of Sir Joslin
Mrs Sentry - My Lady Cockwood’s Servant
Mr Rakewell - A knight of The Industry
Thomas - Sir Oliver’s Servant
Mrs Gazette & Mrs Trinket - Two Exchange-Women
A Servant to Mr Courtall
Waiters, Fiddlers, and Other Attendants
References[edit]
- ^ "Sir George Etherege | British dramatist | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ Van Lennep p.129
Bibliography[edit]
- Fisk, Deborah Payne & Canfield, J. Douglas Cultural Readings of Restoration and Eighteenth-Century English Theater. University of Georgia Press, 2010.
- Van Lennep, W. The London Stage, 1660-1800: Volume One, 1660-1700. Southern Illinois University Press, 1960.
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