The Recruiting Officer (Wednesday Theatre)

The Recruiting Officer is a play by Irish playwright George Farquhar, first performed in 1706. It is a comedy of manners set in Shrewsbury during the War of the Spanish Succession. The play revolves around the efforts of Captain Plume, a charming and charismatic army officer, to recruit soldiers. His efforts are intertwined with romantic intrigues involving various characters, including the wealthy Sylvia Balance, who disguises herself as a man to test Plume's affections, and the cunning Sergeant Kite, who employs various tricks and deceptions to enlist recruits.

The Recruiting Officer is notable for its wit, lively characters, and realistic portrayal of military life and social customs in early 18th-century England. It is often considered Farquhar's masterpiece and a significant contribution to Restoration comedy.

"Wednesday Theatre" refers to a specific television anthology series or strand that historically broadcast dramatic productions on Wednesday evenings. The BBC in particular has had a long history of using Wednesday evenings for showcasing theatrical adaptations and original dramas. Identifying a production of The Recruiting Officer as part of "Wednesday Theatre" indicates it was likely a televised adaptation of the play broadcast as part of one such series. The specific details of the production (e.g., year, director, cast) would depend on the exact "Wednesday Theatre" series it was aired on. More information would be needed to pinpoint the specific television production.