She Stoops To Conquer takes on 18th century 'feminism'

Withcharacters in disguise, mistaken identity gags that run through most of the play andcountless curly wigs,Stratford Festival'sShe Stoops to Conquer is essentially the 18th-centuryequivalent to a modern-day farce.

But the Oliver Goldsmith classic is also shaped by complex class and gender dynamics that speak to that era and ours.

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The story centres on Kate Hardcastleand her family, who areeagerly anticipating the arrival of her new suitor, Charles Marlow.

"He has a strange affliction," explains actress Maev Beaty, who portrays Hardcastle.

"With upper-class women, he is absolutely frozen stiff with fear. He is intimidated, he stutters can barely look at them. But when it comes to barmaids and friendlylower-class ladies, he feels very much at home and, in fact, rather lascivious."

Hardcastledecides to disguise herself as a barmaid,hoping to break down the barriers between herself and her new beau.

Thus, "stooping" to "conquer" himand his fears.

"It's probably a very mild form of Sex and the City; she sees a man and she goes after him," says Eleanor Ty, anenglishprofessor who specializesin18thcentury literature atWilfridLaurierUniversity.

"It does say a lot about what men fearthenandperhaps now."

So is Kate Hardcastlea trailblazer for her time, overcoming class conflicts?Or is she just re-enforcing the gender norms of her day?

For the full discussion with Beatyand Ty, listen to the audio below.

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