Until recently revived at the Dublin festival, Farquhar’s first play had not been seen since 1699. Overshadowed throught the years by his more famous ‘The Beaux Stratagem’ and the ‘Recruiting Officer’, ‘Love and a Bottle’ strikes some interesting topical notes for contempory audiences.
In his story of Roebuck, the high tempered, profligate Irishman Farquhar has anticipated a ‘Tom Jones’ and a ‘Alfie’ all in one play.