Simon Godwin returns to the National Theatre to direct The Beaux’ Stratagem, George Farquhar’s tale about two charming and dissolute men who’ve blow their fortunes.

Shamed and debt-ridden, Mr Aimwell and Mr Archer flee London for provincial Lichfield with the stratagem to marry for money. Posing as master and servant at a local inn, they encounter a teeming variety of human obstacles – a crooked landlord, a fearsome highwayman, a fervent French Count, a maid on the make, a drunken husband, a furious butler, a natural healer and a strange, turbulent priest – but their greatest obstacle is love.

When the Beaux meet their match in Dorinda and Mrs Sullen they are most at risk, for in love they might be truly discovered.

Royal Court Associate Director Godwin returns to the NT following productions of Strange Interlude and Man And Superman. His credits at the Royal Court include Routes, NSFW, The Witness and Goodbye To All That, while elsewhere his work includes the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Two Gentlemen Of Verona.