Skip to main content
Intellect

BYU presents "Rule a Wife, Have a Wife" at Margetts Theatre

"Rule a Wife and Have a Wife," a romantic comedy of secrets hidden and revealed by John Fletcher and adapted and directed by Eric Samuelsen will open Friday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Margetts Theatre at Brigham Young University.

Tickets at $12 or $3 off with a BYU or student ID are available in the Fine Arts Ticket Office, (801) 378-4322 or www.byu.edu/hfac. Half-price preview performances will be Wednesday and Thursday, May 14 and 15. A matinee will be performed at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 24.

John Fletcher, one of Shakespeare's contemporaries and strongest rivals, created this enduring work considered by many to be the model of a romantic comedy.

"Rule a Wife and Have a Wife" is a double love story set for this production in California in the early 1830s. The story reveals hidden secrets centering on Margarita, a carefree heiress who requires a pliant husband who will protect her reputation while she follows her various pursuits.

"The very title of this play makes one shiver," Samuelsen said. "How many married men today would want to claim that they rule their wives and suggest unrighteous dominion?"

While this play revolves around two marriages, Margarita and Don Leon's is based on trust and mutual service and the second marriage evokes a different kind of equality with Estifana and Don Miguel having no reason to trust each other.

"At an early point in the play when Don Leon is exasperated by Margarita, he says, 'A wife is a servant.' Later he has a truer perspective and says, 'I'll be your servant,'" Samuelsen said.

Jennifer Leigh is Margarita, with Matthew Bellows as Leon, Daryl Ball as Miguel Perez, Heidi Reed as Estifania and Collin Smith as the Duke of Medina.

Scenic designer for the production is Heidi Hicken, costume designer is Tara deGrey, makeup and hair designer is Lucy D. Barber and lighting designer is Monika Gray. The stage manager is Ben Meyers.

Writer: Elizabeth B. Jensen

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

Save your tears for another day — BYU researchers can use them to detect disease

December 05, 2024
It’s been said that angry tears are salty and happy tears are sweet. Whether or not that’s actually the case, it is true that not all tears are the same. Tears from chopping an onion are different from those shed from pain – like stepping on a Lego in the middle of the night — as are those special basal tears that keep eyes moist all day. Each type of tear carries unique proteins that reveal insights into health.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

BYU study shows that even one act of kindness per week improves wellbeing for individuals, communities

November 25, 2024
Have you felt uplifted through a simple smile, help with a task or a positive interchange with someone — even a stranger? Kindness works both ways. A new study conducted by BYU researcher Julianne Holt-Lunstad finds that offering a single act of kindness each week reduced loneliness, social isolation and social anxiety, and promoted neighborhood relationships.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

From Tony Hawk Pro Skater to Minecraft, these humanities professors want students to study (and play) video games

November 21, 2024
Humanities professors Michael Call and Brian Croxall have introduced a new video gaming initiative to BYU’s campus. With the support of the College of Humanities, students gather each Monday at 4:00 p.m. in the Humanities Learning Commons for a short faculty lecture about the video game of the week. The game is then available to play throughout the week. Beginning with Stardew Valley and Minecraft, the highlighted games and analyses are continuing through the semester.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= overrideTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= overrideTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=