Tom Fashion returns penniless to England with his servant, Lory. Tom’s older brother has recently inherited their father’s estate, bought a title, and is now Lord Foppington, who fancies himself as an irresistible beau with the ladies. When Tom is refused any of the inheritance, he conspires with the marriage broker, Coupler, to steal Foppington’s bride-to-be. Hoyden is a lusty young virgin, eager to lose that condition. She is the wealthy heiress of Sir Tunbelly Clumsy, a country Squire. The parties have never met, so Tom has no difficulty passing himself off as his brother. He is received with open arms! Unknown to her father, however, Tom manages to persuade Hoyden to marry him immediately, in secret, with the collusion of her nurse. But, no sooner has the event taken place, than Lord Foppington arrives unexpectedly. In the confusion Tom escapes back to London, without his bride. Meanwhile, two rakes of the town, Worthy and Loveless, each unknown to the other, are scheming to seduce the other’s desirable mate, Berinthia and Amanda. Elaborate assignations are made, but the women join forces to turn the scheme to their own benefit by a deft switch of identities at the moment of intended deceit. But all ends happily ever after - for the time being at least!
Cast list
Lord Foppington
Tom Fashion - his younger brother
Lory - Tom’s manservant
Le Verole - Lord Foppington’s servant
His tailor
Mrs Calico - a dressmaker
A shoemaker
A wig maker
Coupler - a matchmaker
Screwem - a doctor
Ladies and gentlemen of the town
Worthy - a gentleman of the town
Loveless - a gentleman of the town
Amanda - his wife
Berinthia - her cousin, jilted by Worthy
Sir Tunbelly Clumsy - a country squire
Sir John Friendly - his neighbour
Hoyden - Sir Tunbelly’s daughter
Nurse - her nurse
Bull - the local parson who fancies Nurse
Servants
Farm workers and pregnant ladies
Musical numbers
Deception - Coupler
Where Do We Look for Love? - Tom & Lory
Stap me Vitals - Lord Foppington
I Know What Is What - Hoyden
Love’s but a Dream - Hoyden & Nurse
The Naughty Minuet - Foppington: Worthy; Loveless: Berinthia; Amanda
Screwem’s Delight - Doctor Screwem
Once a Rake Always a Rake - Amanda & Berinthia
There’s Profit in Deception Coupler - Tom & Lory
One Good Turn Deserves Another - Worthy & Berinthia
Lord Foppington’s aversion - Lord Foppington
Sir Tunbelly’s Invitation - Sir Tunbelly
Hoyden’s Delight - Hoyden
When Love Enters Your Heart - Nurse
Harvest Hymn to Fertility - Company
