Project #5: Directing Resource Guide (The Beaux Strategem)

http://www.costumes.org/history/100pages/18thlinks.htm#Early%20Period%20(1700-1730)

This is a link to one of the most useful costuming resources on the web, the Costumer's Manifesto. The fashions and look of the early 18th century is very unique and distinguishable, and is therefore important when directing a period piece. Knowledge of costuming will also help inform the style of the piece in terms of movement and space.


http://www.bereregis.org/Inns.htm

The Beaux Strategem takes place largely in the Litchfield Inn, which during the 1700's was a rather expansive trade. Inns varied in size and use, as some were meant for travelers, and some were more comparable to a modern bar-a place for the towns people to eat and drink. This website contains some valuable information on the look and function of Inns in this period.

http://history.org/Foundation/journal/Holiday07/court.cfm

Comedy of Manners is a style of play that deals mostly with sex and courtship, so understanding the customs that accompany love, marriage, and sex is of course necessary. This site provides some interesting facts about the nature of male/female relationships during the 18th century. Though its focus is on colonial life, there is still valuable information to be found.

http://www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/clsc94.html
Of course when directing a play it is vital to be familiar with the playwright's life and his other works to help inform the intent of his writing, as well as style. Many intriguing bits of trivia can be found by researching the life of a playwright. For example, George Farquhar (The BEaux Strategem) was deceived into a marriage believing it to be a good financial match. Thusly, many of his plays deal with the relationship between love and money.


http://www.chaddsfordhistory.org/history/herbs2.htm
One of the characters in the Beaux Strategem, Lady Bountiful, is an expert in herbal medicine, so it is important to understand, what this means. Housewives in this period were expected to have at least a basic knowledge of herbal remedy, and then some went even further in their knowlege to mid-wifery, which had a broader knowledge base.

www.theatermania.com/washington-dc/reviews/11-2006/the-beaux-stratagem_9467.html

This is a review of the Shakespeare Theatre Company's production of The Beaux strategem. As a director, it is important to research past production reviews to understand how they are perceived, what works well, and what doesn't, and where ceratin pitfalls may lie.

http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?gtrack=pthc&ParagraphID=ioj

When directing any play that deals with a certain period, religion is always a factor to consider. This site provides a look at the views of the people in the 18th century regarding Christianity, and outside religions, as well as giving a look into the centuries before and after, to see how religious views progressed over time.