{"product_id":"the-recruiting-officer-9780713633498","title":"The Recruiting Officer","description":"\u003cp\u003eFarquhar's last two plays, The Recruiting Officer and The Beaux'\u003cbr\u003eStratagem, have been called 'the last worthwhile comedies of the\u003cbr\u003eRestoration tradition'. Written during Farquhar's stint in Shrewsbury\u003cbr\u003eas part of a recruiting mission in 1704-5, The Recruiting Officer is a\u003cbr\u003ebuoyant, whimsical piece stocked by a fairly conventional cast of\u003cbr\u003echaracters: the rake-hero and his spirited lady (who dons breeches in\u003cbr\u003ethe course of the action), his sober friend and the heroine's serious\u003cbr\u003efriend, the buffoon\/coxcomb and his ill-fated amorous or heroic\u003cbr\u003eventures. What makes the play entertaining is Farquhar's light, humane\u003cbr\u003etouch; what makes it original is his depiction of a real-life\u003cbr\u003eprovincial town and the impact that ongoing warfare (in this case the\u003cbr\u003eWar of the Spanish Succession) had on its civilian society.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Methuen Drama","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50503718633746,"sku":"9780713633498","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_35341349-1f83-4630-9a9f-79046a307735.jpg?v=1730796440","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-recruiting-officer-9780713633498","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}