The Conscious Lovers

The Conscious Lovers is a sentimental comedy written in five acts by the Irish author Richard Steele. The Conscious Lovers appeared on stage on 7 November 1722, at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and was an immediate success, with an initial run of eighteen consecutive nights. The original Drury Lane cast included John Mills as Sir John Bevil, Robert Wilks as Mrytle, Barton Booth as Bevil Junior, Benjamin Griffin as Cimberton, Colley Cibber as Tom, Theophilus Cibber as Daniel, Sarah Thurmond as Isabella, Anne Oldfield as Indiana, Hester Santlow as Lucinda and Elizabeth Younger as Phyllis. The prologue and epilogue were written by Leonard Welsted. Character list Men Sir John Bevil Mr. Sealand Bevil Junior, in love with Indiana but betrothed to Lucinda Myrtle, in love with Lucinda Cimberton, a coxcomb Humphrey, an old servant to Sir John Tom, servant to Bevil Junior Daniel, a country boy, servant to Indiana Women Mrs. Sealand, second wife to Sealand Isabella, sister to Sealand Indiana, Sealand's daughter by his first wife Lucinda, Sealand's daughter by his second wife Phillis, maid to Lucinda Colley Cibber played Tom in original 1722 production. Plot The preface to the play, written by Leonard Welsted, asserts that the play is departing from popular comedies of the day and impresses upon the audience the primacy of morality and manners over lewd jokes and licentious behavior.