THE brightest stars of Canberra Rep’s “She Stoops to Conquer” are undoubtedly Anna Senior’s  beautiful costumes.  True to period (this play was first performed in 1773), they perfectly articulate the town/country, servant/master status relationships around which this comedy of manners revolves. 

The wealthy and educated young Chris Marlowe (George Pulley) and his friend George Hastings (Teig Sandhana) journey from London to the country house of Mr Hardcastle. Dressed in the French style preferred by fashionable men of the time, their look and manners distinguish them from the rustic locals.

Marlow has come to court Hardcastle’s daughter, Kate who his father intends for him to marry. Kate was educated in London; she dresses in fashionable French style in the morning and in the evenings, to please her parochial father, she dresses down.   

Young Marlow, though handsome and clever, becomes a stammering fool in front of women of his own class. Unable to even look at Kate’s face when he meets her in her French day clothes, he fails to recognise her later when her outfit changes. Kate stoops to conquer his heart by playing along when he is tricked into thinking that her father’s house is an inn and she merely the barmaid. 

It’s a huge cast of 17 with more leaners than lifters. Zoe Priest stands out as Kate, and Adam Salter, is engaging and funny as her spoilt and lazy half-brother, particularly during the second act. Newcomer George Pulley delivers a solid and consistent performance as the young Chris Marlow. There are some good moments of ensemble, physical comedy in the Commedia dell’arte style but there is also some inconsistency in pacing and performances. Nonetheless , it’s a comedy classic and a very visually pleasing show.