The Recruiting Officer
by Chess Theatre Company

Jul. 24, 2014

Mitchell-award-winning playwright Johnny Meyer, says “George Farquhar, a veteran of the British military, evoked the comic aspects of army volunteers in his 1706 play The Recruiting Officer. He captures the spirit of army enlistment with more wit and humor than I have ever come across, and as one of the co-coordinators of Veterans' Voices, I felt we had to get this play in front of an audience. The Recruiting Officer is very rarely performed, and it compares well with the best work by Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, and George Bernard Shaw.”

“The Recruiting Officer” follows the proud Captain Plume and his right-hand man, Sergeant Kite as they scour the city of Shrewsbury for new recruits to the British Army by any means necessary – money, women, booze, or fortune-telling. While the army men increase the size of their ranks, the women connive to gain recruits of their own – husbands. Hilarity ensues as Farquhar’s Comedy of Manners casts light on the depths to which his characters are willing to stoop in order to build their army.

Director Isto Barton reflects: “The play carries the witty, bawdy criticism of the Restoration into world that was expanding due to military force. The characters are bright and relatable. Farquhar’s Dramatis Personae and writing would prove delight enough, but we also have a spectacular cast of smart actors, and a gorgeous setting for a lovely evening of laughter, ale, and conversation. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick of the Chess Theatre Company”

For more information about the Humanities Texas, please visit their website at www.humanitiestexas.org. Information about future performances from Veterans Voices or Chess Theatre Company can be found at https://www.facebook.com/chesstheatreco.

Cast List:

  • Robert Moncrief - Balance
  • Reagan Tankersly - Scale, Costar Pearmain, Smith, Mob, Servant, Wife, Steward
  • Kelsi Tyler - Scruple, Thomas Appletree, Pluck, Collier, Bridewell
  • Griffen McDonald - Worthy
  • Johnny Meyer - Plume
  • Georgia McLeland - Brazen
  • Hannah Adrian - Kite
  • Alli Zadrozny - Bullock
  • Natalie Sharpe - Melinda
  • Karen Alvarado - Silvia
  • Cene Hale - Lucy
  • Meagan Rabuse - Rose

The Recruiting Officer
by George Farquhar
Chess Theatre Company

July 24, 2014
Byrne-Reed House
1410 Rio Grande St
Austin, TX, 78701

There will be one performance only:on Thursday, July 24th, at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is free, but reserved to 50 attendees. Drinks and snacks will be provided. To reserve a seat, please email rsvp@humanitiestexas.org. 

7:00pm - Doors Open; Drinks; Snacks
7:30pm - Staged Reading

There will be a talk-back after the performance with the cast as time allows. We will relocate to Dog & Duck at 10:00pm for any further discussion.