Ariadne (writer)

Ariadne was the pseudonym of a "Young Lady" who wrote the play She Ventures and He Wins, which was first performed at The New Theatre in its 1694-95 season.[1] Little is known of her, however she was likely a novice writer who was "keenly aware of theatrical conventions and the politics of the theater".[1] In the preface to her play, Ariadne says that she is not "altogether unacquainted with the Stage". Then, in her prologue, she attacks the owners of a rival theatre, saying that they "out of spite / Trump'd up a Play upon us in a Night",[2] suggesting that she was at least some way involved with the theatre world of 17th century London.

Original title-page for She Ventures and He Wins, with the author cited as "A Young Lady"

The play was a failure, closing after just two nights. It was, however, the first play written by a woman to be performed in London for 20 years, with the exception of works by Aphra Behn who had died six years before its production. Ariadne praises Behn in both the Preface and in the Prologue. Despite its failure on the stage, the play went on to be published in 1696.[3]

Critics and researchers have debated the identity of Ariadne. Some suggest that Ariadne was really Mary Pix, but there is little evidence to support this suggestion.[4][5] Another believes that Ariadne was also the author of Love's Reward: or, the Unnatural Mother.[6]

References
  1. Fishman, Jenn (1996). "Performing Identities: Female Cross-Dressing in "She Ventures and He Wins"". Restoration: Studies in English Literary Culture, 1660-1700. 20 (1): 36–51.
  2. Ariadne (1696). She ventures, and he wins. London.
  3. Beggs, Courtney B. (2012). "'Safely then She Ventures': The Discourse of Credit, Female Dramatists, and Risk-Free Investment on the Restoration Stage". Restoration: Studies in English Literary Culture, 1660-1700. 36 (2): 23–40. doi:10.1353/rst.2012.0009. S2CID 145631019.
  4. Kendall, K. Limakatso (1988). Love and Thunder: Plays by Women in the Age of Queen Anne. London: Methuen. p. 156. ISBN 0413177505.
  5. Clark, Constance (1986). Three Augustan Women Playwrights. New York: Peter Lang. pp. 21–23.
  6. Pearson, Jacqueline (1989). The Prostituted Muse: Images of Women and Women Dramatists 1642-1737. Manchester: University of Manchester Press. pp. 120. ISBN 0312009607.
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