'The miracle today is that we find a lover true: not that a woman's kind'

Valentine, Sir Sampson's dissolute eldest son, finds himself at a standstill; the only way out of his financial difficulties is to give in to his father's pressure to sign over his right of inheritance to his younger brother.

Seeing a chance to escape his debtors Valentine accepts the deal but, fearing he will now be spurned by his beloved Angelica, takes drastic action to ensure he retains what is rightfully his.

Selina Cadell (The Rivals, Arcola Theatre 2014) made her RSC directorial debut with Congreve's glorious Restoration comedy where love for love is stronger than love for money.

THE PLOT

ACT ONE: VALENTINE’S LODGINGS

Valentine, penniless, cannot pursue his courtship of Angelica. Hounded for the repayment of his debts, he is forced to agree to a solution proposed by his father, Sir Sampson; in exchange for £4,000 he must sign a bond, obliging him later to sign a deed, transferring his right of inheritance to his sailor brother, Ben. Valentine and Scandal tease Tattle, who pretends to be a successful womaniser. Mrs. Frail announces that Ben has landed. Valentine asks Scandal to tell Angelica what he has been forced to do.

ACT TWO: A ROOM IN FORESIGHT’S HOUSE

Foresight tries to stop Angelica, his niece, from going out, worried about an old superstition. Ridiculing his fears, she leaves. Sir Sampson and Foresight discuss their scheme for Ben (soon to be enriched) to marry Foresight’s daughter, Miss Prue, with all speed. Valentine fails to persuade Sir Sampson to relent. Mrs. Foresight and unmarried Mrs. Frail plot to stop Ben’s marriage to Prue, now entranced by Tattle.

ACT THREE: A ROOM IN FORESIGHT’S HOUSE

Valentine tries unsuccessfully to elicit some assurance of love from Angelica. They, with Scandal, encourage Tattle to boast of his conquests. Mrs. Frail captivates Ben. Miss Prue rejects Ben; their meeting ends in disaster. To delay the signing of the deed, Scandal tells Sir Sampson that Valentine is mad. Intent on seducing Mrs. Foresight he gains Foresight’s trust, convincing him he is unwell. Ben entertains Mrs. Frail with a song and a dance.

ACT FOUR: VALENTINE’S LODGINGS

Angelica realises Valentine’s ‘madness’ is a trick. Sir Sampson and his lawyer are fooled, delaying the signing of the deed. Mrs. Frail having finished with Ben, Mrs. Foresight plans to disguise her as Angelica and get her married to Valentine. Scandal hears Tattle proposing to Angelica; he’ll find a way to use this to help Valentine. Valentine tells Angelica he pretended madness to fool his father and keep his inheritance, believing love alone was not enough for her.

ACT FIVE: A ROOM IN FORESIGHT’S HOUSE

Angelica tricks Sir Sampson into proposing marriage. She questions his ability to leave her a good jointure given that Ben is to be his heir. Assuring her that there won’t be a problem, he lends her the bond signed by Valentine for scrutiny. Sir Sampson announces their wedding. Tattle and Mrs. Frail unhappily relate how they have been tricked into marrying. Valentine, believing Angelica is to marry his father, prepares to sign the conveyance. He asks to see the original bond obliging him to do so, whereupon Angelica produces it and tears it to pieces, declaring she has loved Valentine all along.