| The Belle's Stratagem | |
|---|---|
 Sarah Booth in the role of Letitia Hardy, 1826 | |
| Written by | Hannah Cowley |
| Date premiered | 22 February 1780 |
| Place premiered | Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Setting | London, present day |
The Belle's Stratagem is a romantic comedy of manners, the most successful work of its playwright, Hannah Cowley. It received its premiere on 22 February 1780,[1] filling the 2,000-seat Drury Lane theatre.[2] The play became a major hit of the season, with Queen Charlotte enjoying it so much that she decreed it be performed for the royal family once a season for several years.[3] Its title comes from George Farquhar's play The Beaux' Stratagem.
- ^ Cowley, Hannah; Cowley (Hannah), Mrs; Daly, Augustin (1893). Two Old Comedies: The Belle's Stratagem [by Mrs. Cowley] and The Wonder [by Mrs. Centlivre] Reduced and Re-arranged by Augustin Daly for Production at Daly's Theatre During the Season 1893-94. Privately printed from the prompt books of Daly's Theatre.
- ^ Swale, Jessica. "The Belle of London: Hannah Cowley." Program notes, Southwark Playhouse's 2011 production of "The Belle's Stratagem."
- ^ Winter