Plays, written by Sir John Vanbrugh, volume the second

This collection gathers five of Vanbrugh’s most lively early comedies, each sparkling with the razor‑sharp wit that defined the Restoration stage. From the scheming lovers of “The Confederacy” to the tangled misunderstandings of “The Mistake,” the plays expose the ambitions and follies of London’s fashionable circles. Listeners will hear bustling market chatter, rapid‑fire repartee, and the clever banter that kept 18th‑century audiences cheering.

The opening of “The Confederacy” places two street‑wise women trading barbs over unpaid debts, instantly setting a tone of satirical commentary on greed and social climbing. In the other works—“The Country House,” “A Journey to London,” and “The Provoked Husband”—characters chase fortunes, disguise identities, and wrestle with the hazards of marriage and reputation. Vanbrugh’s keen eye turns everyday encounters into comic set‑pieces that feel surprisingly contemporary, inviting listeners to laugh at human folly while glimpsing the vibrant world of early London theatre.