SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER is part romantic comedy and part Comedy of Manners by the Anglo-Irish author Oliver Goldsmith, first performed in London in 1773. It was originally called Mistakes of a Night, for its rather convoluted plot unravels in the course of just one night. Director Peter Farmer brings a light touch, full of charm and heaps of humour to Lane Cove Theatre Company’s production. The play is based on practical jokes, mistaken identities, “stolen” jewellery and miscommunication portraying country manners against city snobbery.
A very strong cast ensures all the nuances and twists in the plot are clear to the audience as we follow the characters in all their changing moods and situations. Ross Holohan is excellent as Charles Marlow, shifting from a confident young bachelor in the presence of lower class women to a self-conscious mass of nerves in the presence of upper-class ladies. He is travelling with his friend George Hastings, played by Wills Burke who has all the right touches as the young, slightly roguish English gentleman. There is great rapport between these two actors as they bounce situations off one another adding to the general confusion.
They are on their way to the home of an associate of Charles’ father, Mr. Hardcastle. Ross Scott is very comfortable and confident as the outraged, confused and flustered, but in the end a gentle, loving father and husband. Marlow and his friend Hastings are tricked by Tony Lumpkin, who is Mrs. Hardcastle’s son from a previous marriage, played with great energy and touches of slap-stick humour by Simon Emmerson. Lumpkin tricks Marlow and Hastings into thinking Mr. Hardcastle is a common innkeeper. Knowing nothing of Hastings and Marlow’s misconception, Hardcastle treats them as guests, while they, in turn, treat him as an innkeeper. Each party thinks the other extremely rude and so the plot twists and turns.
Katie Regan is ever cheerful and hopeful as Kate Hardcastle, the lady who “Stoops To Conquer” in pursuit of Marlow. Esther Hannan-Moon is lively and delightful as Constance Neville, who lives with the Hardcastles, and along with Hastings forms the second romance story of the play. Alison Grace is perfect in the role of Mrs Hardcastle, the meddling and somewhat cunning English mother.
The supporting cast of Larissa Turton, Natasha Nogueira, Antony Akle and Henry Taylor play their various roles with gusto adding zest and context to the different scenes.
The simple but very effective set allows the audience to move easily from one location to another. The time of the play has been brought forward to the twentieth century and, while the props and costumes may be of one age, the music comes from several different times – it all works very well.
Times change but human characteristics don’t and this most enjoyable production brings to life this classic comedy as all problems are solved and we joyously leave the theatre with lifted spirits.
Lane Cove Theatre Company‘s [Facebook] SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER is playing from 11-26 May 2018 at The Performance Space @ St Aidan’s – 1 Christina Street, Longueville.