Comedy The Double Dealer Closes University Players’ Season

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The Universality Players are wrapping up their season with The Double Dealer: a fast-paced comedy spectacle of extravagant costumes and outrageous behavior.

The play features a resourceful villain, love, marriage, and adulterous relationships, proving that life in high society of the 1690s was anything but boring.

Machiavellian treachery and romantic knavery are centre stage when Maskwell, plotting to marry into money, joins forces with Lady Touchwood to break up the match between the innocent lovers Cynthia and Mellefont. Cheating wives, jealous husbands, conniving rivals and foolish fops make for a witty comedy of manners where no one but the two young betrothed is what he or she seems.

During a time when men showed off their calves and women their bosoms, sensual innuendos and boudoir intrigues were the norms. “Cheating didn’t start during the restoration period, it just improved,” observes director Brian Taylor. The Double Dealer is a satire of the rakish behavior and silliness that were part of the upper class life. “But in the end, justice triumphs, love prevails and we all laugh.”

It opens on April 1st and runs through April 10th, 2016 in the Essex Hall Theatre. Wednesday through Saturday performances are at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2pm. On Sunday, April 3rd, a “Talk Back” discussion with the actors will follow the performance.

Tickets are $8 to $21. Tickets can be ordered online at www.UniversityPlayers.com or by calling 519-253-3000, ext. 2808.