The Beaux Stratagem

The Beaux' Stratagem (1707), by Irish playwright George Farquhar (1678-1707).

The original text

First produced at the Queen's Theatre, now the site of Her Majesty's Theatre, in the Haymarket, London, in March 1707. Published in Restoration Plays. Dent, 1932.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

First produced in South Africa on the 8th of August 1807 in the African Theatre in Cape Town, along with an after-piece entitled The Old Maid (Murphy), an interlude written by Captain Frazer and spoken by Mr Napier in the role of "Cherry", and an Epilogue written and spoken by Captain Frazer as "Mrs Sullen".

Beaux Strategem, The ****** First produced in South Africa on the 8th of August 1807 in the Garrison Theatre in Cape Town, along with an after-piece entitled The Old Maid.

Other productions over the years include François Swart’s 1966 version for PACT, with Siegfried Mynhardt, John Whiteley, Ronald Wallace, Arthur Hall, Kerry Jordan, Maureen McAllister and Shirley Firth.

This play was Roy Sargeant's first production as director for CAPAB, opening at the Hofmeyr Theatre on 1 July 1967, starring Michael Atkinson, Norman Ettlinger, Peter Curtis, Phillip Boucher, Norman Coombes, Joey Wishnia, Roger Dwyer, Ken Leach, David Goatham, Elliot Playfair, Yvonne Bryceland, Valerie Miller, Jeanne Wennberg, Gillian Garlick and Pat Armstrong. Set designed by Keith Anderson, costumes designed by Stephen de Villiers.