Elizabeth Polwheele facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Elizabeth Polewhele
Born	c. 1651
Died	c. 1691
Occupation	Playwright
Language	English
Notable work	The Frolicks, or, The Lawyer Cheated (1671)
Spouse	Stephen Lobb ?
Relatives	Theophilus Polwhele (father?)
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Elizabeth Polewhele (born around 1651, died around 1691) was an important playwright. She was one of the first women to write plays for the professional stage in London during the time of the Restoration.

About Elizabeth Polewhele

We don't know much about Elizabeth Polewhele's life. Some people think she was the daughter of a minister named Theophilus Polwhele. This Elizabeth was born around 1651. She might have married another minister, Stephen Lobb, and had five children. She passed away in 1691.

Elizabeth Polewhele wrote at least three plays. One was called Elysium, which might have been a religious play. This play is now lost. She also wrote The Faythfull Virgins, a serious play, and The Frolicks, a funny play. These two plays still exist as old handwritten copies. She also likely wrote a special poem praising someone.

Elizabeth Polewhele's Plays

Elizabeth Polewhele's plays were important for her time. She was one of the first women to have her plays performed on a real stage. Other famous women playwrights from this time include Aphra Behn and Frances Boothby.

The Faythfull Virgins

This play was probably performed around 1670. It was likely shown at a theater called Lincoln's Inn Fields.

The Frolicks

The Frolicks is a comedy play. It might have been performed in 1671 by a group called the Duke's Company. This performance could have happened at the new Dorset Garden Theatre.

The play features a clever main character named Clarabell. She is a typical smart heroine from Restoration comedy. There is also a character named Rightwit, who is a bit of a trickster.

Elizabeth Polewhele dedicated The Frolicks to Prince Rupert. In her dedication, she said she was "young" and "no scholar." She also wrote that she created her plays "by nature, not by art." This means she felt her writing came from her natural talent, not from formal schooling.

Manuscripts of The Frolicks

The Frolicks was written around 1671. For a long time, it only existed as handwritten copies. In 1977, a university press published a scholarly version of the play. This made it available for more people to read and study.

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  This is the first page of the letter Elizabeth Polewhele wrote to Prince Rupert for her play.

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  Here is the second page of Elizabeth Polewhele's dedicatory letter.

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  This is the fourth page of the dedicatory letter from The Frolicks.

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  This image shows the second page of the actual play script for The Frolicks.

First Modern Production of The Frolicks

The very first full performance of The Frolicks in modern times happened recently. Students from Mary Baldwin University put on the play on October 11-12, 2021. This production was directed by Sara Hymes and Gregory Jon Phelps. Their theater group, Hedgepig Ensemble, helped promote the play.