A Bold Stroke for a Wife

by Susanna Centlivre, Nancy Copeland (Editor)

Though critics and literary historians have always had to admit that Susanna Centlivre’s comedies were extremely popular, they have tended to devote themselves to a search for evidence in them of supposed deficiencies of ‘the female pen,’ and to pay as much attention to the playwright’s marriages and amorous liasons than to the plays themselves. Only in recent years has Centlivre come to be recognized quite straightforwardly as one of the most brilliant playwrights of her time. A Bold Stroke for a Wife is perhaps the finest example of Centlivre’s masterful plotting of comic intrigue. The soldier Fainwell and Anne Lovely are in love, but their path to the altar is blocked by her guardians, each of whom has a different view of what sort of husband would make the right match. Fainwell resorts to disguises of social types. The play thus provides a wide range of opportunity for Centlivre to satirize Tory respectability, religious propriety and capitalist speculative greed―and to give voice to ‘tis liberty of choice that sweetens life.’ Yet in the end it is Centlivre’s comic muse that gives enduring life to the play as one of the most entertaining of eighteenth-century comedies.

Genres: Plays, Classics, Drama, 18th Century, Fiction, School, Read For School

158 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1995

About the author

Susanna Centlivre (c. 1667–1670 – 1 December 1723), born Susanna Freeman and also known professionally as Susanna Carroll, was an English poet, actress, and "the most successful female playwright of the eighteenth century".[1] Centlivre's "pieces continued to be acted after the theatre managers had forgotten most of her contemporaries." [2] During a long career at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, she became known as the second woman of the English stage, after Aphra Behn. (Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Jack Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

An 18th century satirical play which was actually a very enjoyable read -- the deceptions and witticisms are still comic to a modern audience.

[Sherwood Smith]

Aphra Behn was a talented, complex woman who could not be confined to a respectable domestic role, but she was not alone is writing exuberantly subversive comedy of manners.

Centlivre's play first was seen in 1718, and its influence is still felt today. Later in the eighteenth century she was considered too indelicate and bawdy, but it's rollicking good fun.

[Casaubontastic · Rating 3 out of 5]

My soul rejoiceth, yea, it rejoiceth, I say, to find the spirit within thee; for lo, it moveth thee with natural agitation—yea, with natural agitation, I say again, and stirreth up the seeds of thy virgin inclination towards this good man—yea, it stirreth, as one may say—yea verily, I say it stirreth up thy inclination—yea, as one would stir a pudding.

Fun and absurd enough in its caricatures and plot contrivances to make its exceptionally rigid structure (which I admit to being quite fond of) and straightforward didacticism enjoyable. Surprisingly funny some 300 years(!!!) on, good one-liners, physical comedy that I'm sure would be good to see staged, and it's always nice to see some potshots taken at the Dutch.

Nice to read some Reformation romantic comedy theatre that isn't immensely questionable in its sexual politics, good to have some consent for once. That said, it's hard to feel much of anything towards our central pair of lovers and their intrigue as they are so infrequently themselves as to give the play an actual plot. While surely a statement on conformity, oppression of individual expression in an increasingly commodified and commercial world, &c., it give an otherwise happy ending with a rather dull impact, not helped by the sudden militarism that was apparently standard for Centlivre. Playful and an unexpectedly good version of what one could reasonably expect to be much worse.

[ouijacine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good for understanding women’s position in Georgian Britain as well as functioning as a good example of the masquerade trope common in restoration theatre at this time

[Hannah Willey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The play was amusing, symbolic and reflected on significant contextual themes. I like to think that some self-contradictory moments on the male characters’ part revealed through dramatic irony were inserted intentionally by Centlivre. It was easy and interesting to read.

In terms of tropes and its genre, it’s very typical, almost to a formulaic extent, and didn’t seem to stretch boundaries as much as I would have expected from a female playwright of the time.

[vie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Jazmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this play and actually found it quite funny. The humour caught me off guard and I even laughed out loud! This was an uplifting, light-hearted read with a happy ending. I quite enjoyed it!

[Ed Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Susanna Centlivre’s play ‘A Bold Stroke for a Wife’ really surprised me. I was expecting it to be just another 18th century work about gender politics but the premise was so interesting and makes a really unique premise to explore. The play follows Colonel Fainwell who is in pursuit of Anne Lovely, though her deceased father left her fortune in the care off four guardians: a beau, a merchant, a antiquarian and a quaker, each with opposing valued, and therefore making the agreement on a suitor that meets all their demands impossible, and therefore marriage and the fortune being released also impossible.
‘Bold Stroke for a Wife’ is a play focused on deceit and disguise in order to gain the consent of all four guardians for Fainwell and Anne’s marriage. I enjoyed it, it was witty and an amazing plot idea, whereas I think the play faltered in execution in some means (though I am aware it could be completely different and flow well when performed on stage), whereas reading it some things for Fainwell’s plan to succeed seemed to occur far too conveniently with no questions asked, and each guardian far too oblivious of the situation than characters rooted in reality likely would be.
On such note, the guardians aren’t so rooted in reality, they are each extreme stereotypes written in a means to criticise the types of men of the age, and in satirising this I felt an opportunity was lost given the play is a serious drama, where I believe the premise of the plot would have been far more effective as a comedy. Also for a story about Anne gaining freedom from her controlling guardians, this freedom is only into another marriage where Fainwell will control her fortune, and though a product of the 18th century I feel that Anne was given such a minor and submissive role in the story where she could’ve been explored so much more.
Despite my criticisms and beliefs the play fell short in areas, I was still so surprised by this play as I picked it up expecting it to be completely un-noteworthy and a slog, but Centlivre instead completely inverted my expectations and for such my overall opinions on ‘Bold Stroke for a Wife’ are positive.

[Mbuye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hilarious satire on the "foppery, folly, avarice and hypocrisy" of the day. At the same time, it is a sober reflection on the realities that shackled a married woman to her husband, and an unmarried one to a guardian, without whose consent she could not marry the man of her choice. In this case, Mrs Ann Lovely (an unmarried woman, though her name is prefixed with Mrs) has no less than four guardians, diametrically opposed to each other in character and preferences.

Like all English Restoration comedy, it is a comedy of manners and low farce, with the fun lying in mistaken identity, cross-dressing (though not in this play), disguise, puns and foreigners, real or pretend. The plot is simply to outwit the four guardians, by bribery or playing on their cupidity.

The play is credited with the addition of an expression into the language: simon-pure, which can mean both the genuine, authentic article, or its exact opposite. It is taken after a Quaker gentleman called Simon Pure in the play, and a person who impersonates him. As it turns out, the real Simon Pure is a pretty flaky article, while the man who uses his name is the hero of the play, the guy who gets the girl – and thirty thousand pounds!

[Kendalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually laughed out loud in this one even without a visual performance to aid my reading. Centlivre really delves into the objectification of women and departs from many of the Comedy of Manners generic distinctions in this Comedy of Humors. The plot was enjoyable and the characters were entertaining. I'd love to see this one performed live.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would love to see this performed!

[Heidi Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this play very enjoyable. I thought there was great character development and wonderful comedy. It was pretty easy to follow and a fun read.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Centlivre, one of the most famous and successful playwrights of the 18th-century London stage, isn’t well known today. A rarity in being a female playwright among the male scribes of the theatre, Centlivre, from what little is known of her life, lived on her own terms.

This sort of freedom is hinted at in A Bold Stroke for a Wife. While the female characters are not a quarter as independent as Centlivre, the play suggests the revolutionary idea that women be afforded a say in their life, particularly in the choice of a husband.

Anne Lovely (I should probably have mentioned before this moment that the play is a satire) is a widow with an enormous fortune and four guardians of vastly different temperaments. The catch? She may only marry if all four agree on her suitor. And so, her suitor, Fainwell, disguises himself as a variety of individuals in order to gain the guardians’ favor and win the fair lady’s hand.

Sadly, with each passing act, Miss Lovely becomes little more than a trophy to be won, taking a backseat to Fainwell’s antics. To be fair, most of the characters are rather flat, and the play as a whole lacks a certain spark. If nothing else, the dialogue isn’t as strong as I expect from a comedy.

But even with these faults, A Bold Stroke for a Wife is amusing on paper and would absolutely be funnier when performed. The plot is ridiculous but entertaining, and I’m surprised more comedic actors don’t want to tackle the challenge of Fainwell and his many disguises. For that matter, I think an enterprising theatre company could have a blast casting Fainwell as a woman and making the play a tongue-in-cheek commentary on romance, marriage, and homosexuality. Recommended.

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roald Dahl wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - originally with fifteen annoying children as opposed to five - to highlight all the things he disliked about the youths of the day; chewing gum, watching TV, eating junk food, and throwing tantrums.

Strangely enough, I was reminded of Roald Dahl while reading this play. Much like Dahl, Centlivre uses her work as a mean of exorcising everything she dislikes about people. To the modern reader, her prejudices seem pretty random; older men who take pride in their appearance, travel enthusiasts, Quakers, money-minded misers, Catholics, Frenchmen, Dutchmen. But in the eighteenth century, these were sources of social anxiety.

The framing device for the play is this: an army colonel wishes to marry the subtly named Anne Lovely, but first he needs the consent of her four guardians, each representing a type of person Centilevre dislikes. The colonel- his name is never revealed to us - also represents the type of person Centilivre loves; patriotic army-men. Through various tricks, the colonel endeavors to marry Lovely.

[shayna · Rating 4 out of 5]

An 18th-century satirical play set in England, about the story of a colonel who wants to marry a woman, Mrs Lovely. However, he has to obtain approval from her four guardians, which were appointed after her father’s passing.

It speaks about the position of women and how they were objectified during that time, where a woman was a man’s property - an unmarried woman who could not marry without her guardian’s consent, and a married woman tied to her husband - with her fortune to be acquired by him.

A fun read overall, loved the trickery and deceit, as well as the wittiness and humorous tone that this book took on.

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you would have told me that a book written way long ago, especially a play written in old English format would be this hilarious, I would have thought of you as some stuck up English Lit major who is way above me and called it a day.

But I was wrong.

If thou couldst not bear the sunbeams, how dost thou think man can bear thy beams?

This play is really light-hearted, funny, and interesting. I enjoyed it and I am really looking forward to reading "The Wonder! A Woman Keeps a Secret."

[Rachel Herschbein · Rating 3 out of 5]

dutiful exploration of new character types emerging in the early eighteenth century. throws into question also the character of Fainwell, who morphs to appeal to different people. we are privy to his motivations, but none of his actual personality, which is really perplexing even after finishing the play. finally, massive commentary on England’s place in Europe and imports/exports, emphasizing the importance of home industry, but also the accustomed reliance on an internationally connected preindustrial world.

[Z. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder if this is where Frances Burney got the idea of giving her heroine multiple guardians who represent extremes of character, or if that was a common setup for humor and satire? It's interesting that although her guardians obviously have quite different interests and goals, they're united in not really caring how she might feel about any potential husband. Also some interesting religious commentary.

[indie · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHY WAS THIS ACTUALLY SO GOOD?

“Why art thou in the dumps, Anne?” I love when the witty couple archetype characters actually seem to like each other???

Anne and Fainwell matched each other’s freak, for real. Also, the last line of:

“But yet I hope, for all I have said
To find my spouse a man of war in bed”

People have been freaks since 1718… and before too!

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fascinating to see this play written by a woman in the 18th century. I thought I read about it in
Sisters of Sinai, but now I can't find the reference. An amusing story and a quick read. I'm not much of a play reader, but I did enjoy this.

[Aden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very entertaining, if a bit heavy-handed in its use of satire. I can see why such a romp has staying power. I thought the staging of special effects in this 18th century text particularly enthralling.

[Hypatia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Highly enjoyable.

[AGMaynard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful! Road tested with Quarantine Drama Club. Time for a revival otherwise!

[honor · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was actually a lot funnier and more entertaining than i expected! i can’t say it was my favourite thing i’ve ever read but the humour still stands and it is cleverly written.

[Hanako T · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Bold Stroke for a Wife walked so Scott Pilgrim could run

[Elsa Hendrix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wild

[Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute !

[Angelina · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good. i need to read more plays because the ones i have read lately i absolutely enjoyed.

[Veronica Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Still free as air the active mind does rove,
And searches proper objects for its love,
But that once fixed, ‘tis past the power of art
To chase the dear ideas from the heart:
‘Tis liberty of choice that sweetens life,
Makes the glad husband and the happy wife.”

[Tori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of...bland.