The Way of the World

Imperial Productions presents

The Way of the World

at the Barons Court Theatre, London W14
16–20 March 2010

nightly at 7.30pm. tickets £12 (£10 concessions)

The Way of the World is about money, sex, power, appearances, deception, and finally, love. Mirabell and Millamant love each other, but they endlessly deceive other people, and each other, in order to achieve that love.

A comedy of elegance, class, manners and deception, set in a society that really has money and sex at the heart of its concerns. Amid the gossip and frivolous love affairs of fashionable London society, the clever and conniving Millamant and Mirabell are determined to pursue a "marriage of true minds". But Millamant's jealous guardian stands in their way. The only way to achieve their goal is to beat the fops, fools and resentful rivals at their own game—through double-dealing and outrageous deception.

Following the recent success of the European premiere of Silence! at Barons Court, Imperial Productions return with this eagerly awaited revival which stars a cast of thirteen and is helmed by veteran fringe director David Phipps-Davis.

Tickets can be booked in advance (strongly recommended due to the small size of the venue) on 020 8932 4747.

Director David Phipps-Davis said: "The self-important, amoral elite will never go away–that’s what makes The Way of the World perfect for a modern-dress production. This sharp-tongued satire exchanges puffy vests for designer suits while "nobles" cheat, manipulate and lie to win a family fortune and get away with sexual deviancy."

The Way of the World is one of the best restoration comedies written. The typically complicated plot centres on the two lovers Mirabell and Millamant. In order for the two to get married and receive Millamant's full dowry, Mirabell must receive the blessing of Millamant's aunt, Lady Wishfort. Unfortunately, she is a bitter lady, who hates Mirabell and wants her own nephew, Sir Wilful, to marry Millamant. Other characters include Fainall who is having a secret affair with Marwood, a friend of Mrs. Fainall's, who in turn once had an affair with Mirabell. Waitwell is Mirabell's servant and is married to Foible, Lady Wishfort's servant. Waitwell pretends to be Sir Rowland and, on Mirabell's command, tries to trick Lady Wishfort into a false engagement ... but how will it all end?

Praise for The Way of the World

"One of the best-written and most dazzling comedies of the Restoration era"

"David Phipps-Davis's confident direction leaves set and props to the bare minimum ... and gives the actors the freedom to simply tell us the story."

"The actors all have complete command over the story, delivering the language with ease and making the repartee as funny today as it would have been
300 years ago."

Susan Moisan for remotegoat - read the full review