The Beaux' Stratagem

By George Farquhar, adapted by Thornton Wilder and Ken Ludwig

Directed by Patricia Boyette

Is love more powerful than a healthy bank account? In Thornton Wilder and Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of George Farquhar’s hilarious play THE BEAUX’ STRATAGEM, two broke men roam from town to town in search of love and fortune. As they search for a wealthy heiress to line their pockets, they switch roles as master and servant from one town to the next. In Litchfield, they find themselves falling in love with their marks and having to deal with a cast of characters that seem to be right out of a comedic fever dream. Archer and Aimwell try to show their true devotion by saving everyone from a band of highwaymen set on robbing the house of their lady loves, they discover that they are in way over their heads. Come for the gun and swordplay, stay for the love and atonement.

Produced by University Theatre (UW-Madison) at U.W. Mitchell Theatre, 821 University Ave, Madison

Performances: November 20 - December 13, 2015

Performance Times:
11/19 @ 7:30pm (Preview)
11/20 @ 7:30pm (Opening)
11/21 @ 7:30pm
11/22 @ 2:00pm
12/03 @ 7:30pm
12/04 @ 7:30pm
12/05 @ 7:30pm
12/06 @ 2:00pm
12/10 @ 7:30pm
12/11 @ 7:30pm
12/12 @ 7:30pm
12/13 @ 2:00pm

Ticket Prices*
$22 – Adults $20 – Seniors (62+) $15 – Friend of UT (donor) $15 – UW Students $15 – Children (5 – 17)
*Additional $1 facility fee per ticket. Convenience fees apply to phone and on-line sales • ONLINE at www.arts.wisc.edu • CALL 608.265.ART

Call 608-265-2787 for reservations or more information.

Auditions

Auditions will be held on the following days:

9/17/2015
9/18/2015

Auditions: September 17 and 18, 6-9pm; Rm 1153 Vilas Hall
Callbacks: September 19, 1-5pm; Rm 1153 Vilas Hall

Audition Sign Up Website: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d4aaeaf22a6f49-thebeaux

Rehearsal Dates and Times:
First Rehearsal: Monday, October 12; 6:30-10:30pm
Tech Rehearsals: November 12-18 (plan on longer rehearsals during tech weekend)
Preview: November 19
Opening: November 20
Performances: Nov. 20, 21, 22; (off Thanksgiving week) Dec.3,4,5,6;10,11,12, 13

Audition Requirements:
One 1 ½ minute comic monologue (does not have to be a period piece); please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Callbacks:
Callbacks will involve reading scenes and speeches from the play

Script Perusal:
You may check out a copy of the script from the main theatre office (6173 Vilas) for small deposit (see Robin in the office)

Description of the play:

The Wilder/Ludwig adaptation of George Farquhar's THE BEAUX' STATAGEM is a hilarious comic romp with an array of quirky characters and complicated situations that ranks it among the best of theatrical farces.

“…Two penniless beaux are forced to flee their creditors in the expensive beaux monde of London and roam about the countryside seeking salvation by marrying women of great beauty (if possible) and fortune (without question). They fetch up in Litchfield and put their stratagem into play. It all works out wonderfully well, although not before many a diverting moment involving such matters as highway robbery, life in an inn owned by a rogue, mistaken identity, much sexual innuendo played out in front of and behind beautiful and not-so-beautiful women, sword play, heavy drinking—and lively comment of the nature and destiny of the genders, separate and together.” – Tappan Wilder

The Characters (note: there may be some double-casting in this production):

Lady Bountiful – A rich country gentlewoman, foolishly fond of her son, Sullen, and her hobby of practicing medicine. She “cures almost as many as she kills”.

Sullen – Lady Bountiful's ne'er-do-well son –good at drinking, belching, farting and making his wife Kate’s life miserable.

Dorinda – Lady Bountiful's beautiful daughter – a romantic who is remarkably good at sword fighting.

Mrs. Kate Sullen – Lady Bountiful's fashionable daughter-in-law and Sullen's wife who longs for adventure beyond Litchfield and her scurrilous country-bumpkin of a husband.

Sir Charles Freeman – Mrs. Kate Sullen's well-to-do brother who visits from London bringing a couple of life changing surprises ….

Boniface – The "hail fellow, well met” landlord of an Inn (and ringleader of a band of highwaymen)

Cherry – Boniface's feisty daughter.

Gloss – A man of two professions: highwayman and clergyman.

Hounslow and Bagshot – Highwaymen

Tom Aimwell – A romantic gentleman of broken fortune, acting as Archer's master.

Jack Archer – A roguish gentleman, acting as Aimwell's servant.

Foigard – A French parson anxious to perform a wedding.

A Lady – Set upon by robbers and disconcerted about it.

A Country Woman – A “simple soul” seeking medical advice from Lady Bountiful.

Daniel, Scrub, Gypsy, Mary – Servants with stories of their own to tell