01648cam a22002417a 4500008004100000020001800041020001500059040000800074050002400082100002400106245010800130260004100238300001100279505001700290520074300307600004601050600005601096600006501152650005101217650005601268650005601324650002601380101026s2008    enk      b    001 0 eng d  a9781851969715  a1851969713  aSDU00aPR3438bH435 E 20081 aHeard, Elisabeth J.10aExperimentation on the English stage, 1695-1708 :bthe career of George Farquhar /cElizabeth J. Heard.  aLondon :bPickering & Chatto,c2008.  a170 p.  aHKBU Library  aAt the beginning of the eighteenth century, British theatre saw a shift from what critics now call 'Restoration' to 'sentimental' comedy. Focusing on the career of the Irish dramatist George Farquhar (1678-1707), Heard argues that experimentation was the basis for this change. Farquhar's first play, "Love and a Bottle" (1698) relied on outdated plot devices and character types. By contrast, his final two plays, "The Recruiting Officer" (1706) and "The Beaux Stratagem" (1707) used creative new elements to connect with English audiences. Over ten years, Farquhar and his contemporaries experimented with characters, plot lines, and dialogue in an attempt to woo their audiences. In doing so they initiated a new era in British comedy.10aFarquhar, George,d1677?-1707xTechnique.10aFarquhar, George,d1677?-1707xStories, plots, etc.10aFarquhar, George,d1677?-1707xCriticism and interpretation. 0aEnglish drama (Comedy)xHistory and criticism. 0aEnglish dramay18th centuryxHistory and criticism. 0aEnglish dramay17th centuryxHistory and criticism. 0aSentimental comedies.