The Constant Couple
The Constant Couple is a 1699 play by the Irish writer George Farquhar. It is part of the Restoration comedy tradition, and is often described as a sentimental comedy. It marked the first major success of Farquhar's career. A series of comic misunderstandings are triggered when three rivals vie for the hand of the wealthy heiress Lady Lurewell.

It was staged at the Drury Lane Theatre in London. The original cast included Robert Wilks as Sir Harry Wildair, George Powell as Standard, John Mills as Vizard, Benjamin Johnson as Smugler, William Pinkethman as Clincher Senior, William Bullock as Clincher Junior, Henry Norris as Dicky, Joseph Haines as Tom Errand, Susanna Verbruggen as Lurewell, Jane Rogers as Angelica, Mary Powell as Lady Darling and Henrietta Moore as Parly. The hero and most popular character, the rakish Sir Harry Wildair was revived for a sequel "Sir Harry Wildair" in 1701.

For several decades the part of Sir Harry was strongly identified with the actor Robert Wilks, and became his signature role. It was later taken over by the Irish actress Peg Woffington, who performed it as a breeches role. Dorothea Jordan also played the part as did Samuel Foote. Actresses who have played the role of Lady Lurewell included Anne Oldfield and Hannah Pritchard. William Bullock appeared in the original run as Clincher.

Numerous revivals of the play have taken place over subsequent centuries.
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George Farquhar
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Restoration comedy
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sentimental comedy
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Drury Lane Theatre
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Robert Wilks
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George Powell
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John Mills
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Benjamin Johnson
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William Pinkethman
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William Bullock
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Joseph Haines
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Susanna Verbruggen
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Jane Rogers
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Mary Powell
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rakish
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Sir Harry Wildair
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Robert Wilks
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Peg Woffington
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breeches role
Concept
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Dorothea Jordan
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Samuel Foote
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Anne Oldfield
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Hannah Pritchard
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Q8006124
William Bullock
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The Constant Couple
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1699-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1699
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1701-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1701
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author
publication date
genre
publication date