Production History: 1707, The Queen's Theatre
The original production of The Beaux' Stratagem opened on March 8, 1707 (a Saturday) at The Queen's Theatre. The cast, as listed in the original 1707 printing of the play (and so noted in The London Stage, ed. Avery), stood as follows:
Aimwell: John Mills
Archer: Robert Wilks
Bellair: John Bowman
Sullen: John Verbruggen
Freeman: Mr. Keen
Foigard: Mr. Bowen
Gibbet: Colley Cibber
Hounslow: Mr. Bullock
Bagshot: Henry Norris
Lady Bountiful: Mrs. Powell
Dorinda: Lucretia Bradshaw
Mrs. Sullen: Anne Oldfield
Gipsy: Mrs. Mills
Cherry: Margaret Bicknell
A swift success, the play quickly caught audience enthusiasm, and drew crowds for a succession of well-received performances. Indeed, according to The London Stage, the play appeared several more times during the season: March 11 ("Written by the Author of the Recruiting Officer."), March 13 ("Benefit the Author."), March 15, March 20 ("Benefit the Author."), March 29, March 31 ("For the Benefit of Will Bullock, as the Saying is. At the Desire of Several Persons of Quality. Written by the Author of the Recruiting Officer."), April 29 ("Benefit the Author. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality."), June 5 ("Benefit Norris. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Written by the Author of the Recruiting Officer.").
Then, too, the play was published shortly after its opening performance, and on March 27, the Daily Courant ran the following advertisement: "This Day is publish'd, The Beaux Stratagem, a Comedy, written by Mr. Farquhar Author of the Recruiting Officer, as it is Acted at the Queen's Theatre in the Hay-Market."
Even as the years passed, the play would keep from fading entirely, and has been revived time and again to the applause of audiences in and beyond Britain.
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NOTE: To see citation information for The London Stage (ed. Avery) and the Daily Courant, see Resources Cited. Also, along with The London Stage, the New Mermaids edition of The Beaux' Stratagem (ed. Cordner) was used for the cast list.
NOTE: To see citation information for The London Stage (ed. Avery) and the Daily Courant, see Resources Cited. Also, along with The London Stage, the New Mermaids edition of The Beaux' Stratagem (ed. Cordner) was used for the cast list.
