She Stoops to Conquer			Download the programme.
Players ‘stoop and conquer’ in classic style.
Grasmere Players have topped 50 years of plays with this anniversary production – a storming version of the classic 18th century comedy of manners and confused identities She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith. From the moment of curtain up and the entrance of Hugh Wright as Mr. Hardcastle the audience knows it is in capable hands, and the evening does not disappoint.
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		The play revolves around the very politically incorrect behaviour of an upper class young man, Charles Marlow, who is overcome with shyness towards women of society, but relaxed and disgracefully over-familiar with women he considers to be his social inferiors.
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Marlow, played with verve and ability by Bob Beaver, and his friend Hastings (Dan Blenkharn) hit just the right arrogance as they mistake Hardcastle’s country house for a public hostelry and county squire Hardcastle himself for the landlord. The confusion is propounded by Hardcastle’s stepson, Tony Lumpkin, (the ever inventiye Philip Birtwistle) and inveterate mischief maker.
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		The sub plot involving Hardcastle’s ward Constance Neville and her attempts to obtain her family jewels and elope with her secret fiancé and outwit the vigilant Mrs. Hardcastle (performed with great relish by Vivienne Rees) is equally lively and entertaining.
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Special mention to the two young female leads, Miranda – Jane Pinder and Lucy Wisse who bring a 21st. Century knowingness to their characters, while managing to retain the dignity of speech and deportment of 18th. Century young ladies. Excellent set designs from Edmund Blood, and stunning costumes researched and made by Nancy Stringer, complement the strong team of actors and provide the icing on a most tasty evening’s cake.
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Pam Williamson The Westmorland Gazette, June 16th 2000.