After it's sell out success, award nominations and 4/5* reviews, we are hoping that THE BELLE'S STRATAGEM will tour in 2012. f We are currently looking for willing donors and investors.

ABOUT THE PLAY
This delightful comedy of manners parodies the highs and lows of courtship and the passion for fashion which defined London life. In a time when women were second class citizens, this group of wiley women are determined to get their own way, whatever it takes.

Beautiful Letitia Hardy has been waiting patiently for her betrothed, Doricourt, to arrive from the Grand Tour. However, when he returns convinced that English women are dull in comparison to the feisty Europeans, she sets out to gain his love with an ingenious scheme to trap his heart once and for all, with the help of her father, Hardy, who is convinced he can foresee the future.

Meanwhile, the jealous Sir George Touchwood arrives in town with his new wife in tow, Lady Frances. While he is desperate to secrete her away, it’s not long before two of London’s most rambunctious city wits, Miss Ogle and Mrs Rackett, make it their mission to convert her into a London lady of fashion. But devilish Courtall has his eye on her too, and only the most cunning stratagem can prevent her becoming prey to this Georgian Casanova.

Will all be revealed at the masquerade ball? Or, with plots afoot, a bevy of disguises and a touch of cross-dressing, is there more behind the masks than meets the eye? In this astonishing exploration of marriage, fashion and the gender divide, THE BELLE’S STRATAGEM is a hilarious play for the modern day.

Also featuring Holly Blair, Cassandra Bond, Samuel Dent, Tim Dorsett, Mark Fountain, Christopher Logan and Nigel Munson.

Director JESSICA SWALE
Designer SIMON KENNY
Composer LAURA FORREST-HAY
Lighting CHRISTOPHER NAIRNE
Producer PETER HUNTLEY