Susanna Centlivre The Bassett Table

The Friday Play: The Basset Table Fri 10th Aug 1990, 21:30 on BBC Radio 3 By Susanna Centlivre, adapted by Fidelis Morgan   Director Penny Gold A Restoration Drama   Lady Reveller:…..Eleanor Bron Lord Worthy:…..Michael Cochrane Sir James Courtly:…..Jonathan Cullen Lady Lucy:….Amanda Murray Sir Richard:…..John Rye Ensign Lovely:…..Simon Treves Valeria:…..Danielle Allan Capt Hearty:…..Sean Barrett Alpiew:…..Jenny Howe Buckle:…..Nicholas Gilbrook Mrs Sago:….Tessa Worsley Mr Sago:…..Danny Schiller Banker:…..Christopher Good Servant:…..Christopher Good The play follows the fortunes of Lady Reveller, who runs a table where her friends play the card game basset, and her struggle to avoid marrying Lord Worthy. His friend, the gambling Sir James Courtly, pines for the worthy Lady Lucy. Gambling at Lady   Reveller's proves the undoing of Mrs. Sago, a citizen's wife, and the ruin of her doting husband. Meanwhile, Lady Reveller's cousin, Valeria, spends her time conducting scientific experiments and dissections, but her father intends to marry her off to the bluff sea-captain Hearty. How can Lady Reveller be persuaded to forego the delights of gambling? And how can Valeria avoid an unwanted marriage? This play challenges contemporary stereotypes of the learned lady and offers a delightful picture of a female scientist at work.  First performed in November 1705

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.

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