Susanna Centlivre — The Busy Body. A Comedy

London, J. Wenman, 1777. Leather. A scarce 18th century edition of Susanna Centlivre"s popular comedy of romantic intrigue, illustrated with an engraved character portrait of Marplot. In a modern quarter morocco binding with cloth boards, endpapers renewed.  A scarce 18th century edition of this comedy, first performed and published in 1709. ESTC No.: T29813. Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece depicting Mr King in the character of Marplot, captioned "Thieves! Thieves! Murder!!" Collated, complete.  A hugely successful comedy of intrigue, following two young couples attempting to evade the matrimonial schemes of their guardians and marry for love. Their carefully arranged plans are repeatedly endangered by Marplot, the inquisitive and well-meaning busybody.  Susanna Centlivre (c1669-1723) was an English actress and dramatist and one of the most successful female playwrights of the 18th century stage. The Busy Body became one of Centlivre's most enduring successes, receiving more than 450 performances.  In a modern quarter morocco binding with cloth boards, endpapers renewed. Externally, excellent. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally bright and clean, if age toned, with light scattered spotting and one or two minor handling marks to fore edge. Minor edge wear to page extremities of first and last few leaves. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed .