Mary Pix's restoration comedy, usually known as The Beau Defeated, was brought to the Stratford stage by Jo Davies in 2018.
A wealthy widow on her way up...
Mrs Rich, a wealthy widow, aspires to rub shoulders with the great and good and perhaps even gain a title. Unfortunately, she’s not the only one after Sir John Roverhead!
Unlike Aphra Behn, a fellow female playwright from the late 1600s, Mary Pix has been almost lost to history. But like Behn’s The Rover, a sell-out success in early 2017, Pix’s comedy of manners combines mischief-making and mind-bending plot twists with a sharp satirical and distinctly female wit. Her colourful cast of characters dupe and dissemble as the intrigue builds. Will Mrs Rich ever squeeze her way into high society?
Cast
Jeff Alexander - Coachman
Aretha Ayeh - Lucinda
Daisy Badger - Lady Landsworth
Greg Barnett - Belvoir
Graeme Brookes - Footman
Will Brown - Jack
Hayley Considine - Governess
Laura Elsworthy - Betty
Sandy Foster - Mrs Trickwell
Ashley Gayle - Footman
Amanda Hadingue - Toni
Richard Hurst - Footman
Solomon Israel - Younger Clerimont
Emily Johnstone - Maid
Lossie the Dog - Lossie
Susan Salmon - Lady la Basset
Sadie Shimmin - Mrs Fidget
Michael Simkins - Mr Rich
Sophie Stanton - Mrs Rich
Theia the Dog - Theo
Jessica Turner - Mrs Clerimont
Tam Williams - Sir John Roverhead
Leo Wringer - Elder Clerimont
Creatives
Director Jo Davies | Designer Colin Richmond | Lighting Anna Watson | Music and Songs Grant Olding | Sound Carolyn Downing | Movement Coral Messam | Fights Terry King