She Would If She Could: Revival from the Restoration

Head Trick Theatre’s latest production, She Would If She Could, is a comedy by George Etherege. Written in 1668 and set in Restoration London (which kicked off with the end of the Cromwellian Interregnum in 1660), the play is both satirical and enlightening in nature. The characters’ witty banter and often satirical dialogue underscores an air of self-awareness and liberation that was prominent at the time. It also highlights their newfound openness to discuss and manage their sexuality. The play mocks a societal double-standard that demanded chastity for women while tolerating libertinage for men.

The most obviously flawed character is Sir Oliver Cockwood (Stevie Smith). This married man frequently tries to hook up with prostitutes, but to no avail. Smith nailed the role of the selfish, somewhat sloppy man. The ironically surnamed Mr. Cockwood is alleged by his wife to be impotent.

Lady Cockwood (hilariously played by Kelly McCabe) is a prototype for the lustful female role that was a mainstay of 1660s London theater and beyond. Interestingly, she, too is a would-be tramp: though she claims to be a chaste woman of virtue, she actively pursues men with whom she can cheat on her husband — hence the title of the play.  McCabe did a nice job of emphasizing this with her passionate delivery of lines, regularly exclaiming words such as “betrayed” in ways that successfully suggest the opposite meanings of the words.

The entire cast was very lively and commanding, including Ian Hudgins who played Ned Courtall, stirring the pot and serving as a foil for the other male characters, and Andrew Conley as Sir Joslin Jolly. Ashley Moore as Gatty and Meg Taylor-Roth as Ariana were impressive as well. This show did a nice job of making Etheridge’s play relevant to a new audience while maintaining its somewhat didactic nature.

She Would If She Could, directed by Rebecca Maxfield and assistant directed by Ryan Stevenson, by Head Trick Theatre, at AS220’s Black Box Theatre, 95 Empire St, PVD. Through April 2. Web: www.headtricktheatre.org/she-would-if-she-could.