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The Man of Mode

The Man of Mode

Written by George Etherege
Performed in English
1985–1986

George Etherege’s The Man of Mode transports us back to Restoration England, a world of excess, vanity, and lust.

From the wealth of consumerist London to the fear of social failure and a desire for revenge, this masterpiece is a compelling satire on the lives of Etherege’s fashionable playgoers in seventeenth-century London society.

Produced by Cheek by Jowl. The first performance of The Man of Mode was at the Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead on 27th September 1985.

“A first class ensemble production from this country’s leading touring company”

The Spectator
Cast and creative team

Cast

NameCharacter
Martin TurnerDorimant
Colin WakefieldHandy/Old Bellair
Steph BramwellFoggy/Nan/Lady Woodvil
William ChubbMr Medley
Paul SykesYoung Bellair
Anne WhiteLady Townley/Mrs Loveit
Sally GreenwoodEmilia/Pert
Leda HodgsonBelinda/Busy
Saskia ReevesHarriet
David GillespieSir Fopling Flutter/Mr Smirk

Creative Team

RoleName
DirectorDeclan Donnellan
DesignerNick Ormerod
Assistant DirectorLindsay Posner
MusicJoanna MacGregor
Lighting DesignerNick Kidd
Company VoicePatsy Rodenburg
Previous performances

Previous Performances

Date (first performance)LocationNo. of performances
17 March 1986London, Donmar Warehouse, UK14
3 March 1986Bombay, Sophia Bhabha Hall, India6
28 February 1986Bangalore, Chowdish Hall, India4
23 February 1986Madras, Music Academy, India4
19 February 1986Calcutta, Kala Mandir Theatre, India5
14 February 1986Delhi, Sri Ram Centre, India5
10 February 1986Khatmandu, Royal Nepal Academy, Nepal3
7 February 1986Dhaka, Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh2
2 February 1986Colombo, Navarangahala Theatre, Sri Lanka4
31 January 1986Kandy, Trinity College, Sri Lanka2
27 January 1986Karachi, Hashoo Auditorium, Pakistan4
22 January 1986Lahore, Alhamra Arts Centre, Pakistan4
18 January 1986Islamabad, College for Girls, Pakistan3
17 January 1986Peshawar, Edwardes College, Pakistan2
10 January 1986Barcelona, Regina Theatre, Spain4
6 January 1986Strasbourg, Theatre Le Maillon, France3
7 December 1985Wallingford, Corn Exchange, UK1
2 December 1985Tewkesbury, Roses Theatre, UK1
27 November 1985Oswestry, College, UK2
22 November 1985Burton Upon Trent, Technical College, UK1
19 November 1985Lichfield, Civic Hall, UK2
18 November 1985Bridgnorth, Theatre on the Steps, UK1
12 November 1985Hull, Spring Street Theatre, UK5
8 November 1985Newtown, Theatre Halfren, UK1
7 November 1985Builth Wells, Wyeside Arts Centre, UK1
4 November 1985Leighton Buzzard, Vandyke Upper School, UK1
30 October 1985Louth, Monk’s Dyke School, UK1
29 October 1985Cleethorpe, Lindsey School, UK1
25 October 1985Lowestoft, Seagull Theatre, UK1
23 October 1985Sudbury, Quay Theatre, UK1
21 October 1985Ipswich, Wolsey Theatre, UK2
16 October 1985Wells, Wells Centre, UK3
14 October 1985Norwich, University of East Anglia, UK1
9 October 1985Norwich, Premises, UK3
5 October 1985Aylesbury, Limelight Theatre, UK1
4 October 1985Thame, Sport and Arts Centre, UK1
2 October 1985Luton, Library Theatre, UK1
30 September 1985Milton Keynes, Stantonbury Theatre, UK1
27 September 1985Hemel Hempstead, Old Town Hall, UK2
Reviews

Reviews

“Great style, integrity and moral purpose…which is how restoration comedy should be played”

The Financial Times

“A first-class ensemble production from this country’s leading touring company”

The Spectator 
Production photo
Photograph: Peter Mares
Production photo
Photograph: Peter Mares

“Great style, integrity and moral purpose…which is how restoration comedy should be played”

The Financial Times

Life is for each man a solitary cell, whose walls are mirrors.

Eugene O’Neill

Human society is founded on mutual deceit; few friendships would endure if each knew what his friend said of him in his absence.

Blaise Pascal

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