Intrigue and Satire

England's 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688 and the reign of new monarchs William and Mary signified a turning point for Restoration comedy with laws being passed to restrict playwrights' freedoms. The latter years are marked by a shift towards more moral storylines, mixing humour with social and political issues, alongside the lighthearted 'comedy of manners'. The works in this collection bring together these complementary styles, full of humour while also focusing on hard hitting themes. Includes:

Oroonoko by Aphra Behn
The Old Bachelor, The Double-Dealer, The Way of the World and Love for Love by William Congreve
The Royal Mischief by Delarivier Manley
The Provok'd Wife by John Vanburgh
The Constant Couple, The Recruiting Officer and The Beaux' Stratagem by George Farquhar
The Basset Table by Susanna Centilivre