ABSTRACT
The play was set in the Iberian theatre of the war of Spanish Succession (1702– 1713). Its popularity was attested by the fact that John Phillip Kemble adapted and staged it again in 1763 as The female officer, or the humours of the army, a comedy. Though it was focused on elite society, with one storyline involving a romance between the General’s daughter and a Major, it included several scenes with minor characters that conveyed colourful stereotypes about common soldiers’ marriages for comedic effect. This was an authentic portrayal of an officer’s perception of the men in the ranks. Charles Shadwell (1692–1720) was himself an officer who served in Portugal under Major-General Newton during the War of Spanish Succession. The casting of “First Trull” and “Second Trull” was distinctive in its intent to ridicule soldiers’ female companions; these were the only female characters to be played by male actors. The dialogue further highlighted these couples’ casual attitude to marriage, love, and fidelity. The character of Wilmott was a gentleman who had enlisted in the ranks after having his heart broken by his sweetheart, Belvedera. His false excuse that he had enlisted to escape charges of bastardy played into a common perception that many recruits were escaping the responsibilities of illicit fatherhood.
