Sparkish

Townsman (7) LAST WEEK'S SOLUTION: Across - 1 Acting the fool; 10 Pixie; 11 Love letter; 13 Shampoo; 15 Rotterdam; 16 Larva; 17 Prowess; 19 Err; 20 Sparkish; 21 Prolific; 24 Rue; 25 Reddish; 26 Gamin; 27 Equivocal; 30 Drainer; 31 Atmosphere; 33 Mecca; 34 Articled clerk.

The most obvious meaning of the dance is that it is a symbolic representation and mocking parody of the literal cuckolds in the play, who are right there in front of the dancers: Sir Japer Fidget and Pinchwife; and, though he is not yet married, Sparkish has an honorary position in this group, having forced Harcourt into his fiancee's arms.

Fine contributions, too, from Ian Parkes (Sir Jaspar Fidget), Rosemary Bodger (Lady Fidget), Chris Jenkins (Mr Sparkish) and Sarah Stanley (Alithea).

Margery Pinchwife Fiona Glascott Sparkish Jo Stone-Fewings Lady Fidget Patricia Hodge Sir Jaspar Fidget Nicholas Day Harcourt John Hopkins Lady Alithea Elisabeth Dermot Walsh Doilant Tristan Beint Mrs.

An earlier example can be found in the romantic subplot of William Wycherley's The Country Wife (1676), where the heroine, Alithea, feels obligated to keep a prior promise to the foppish Sparkish even though he is inferior in almost every respect to her ardent suitor, Harcourt Courtly.

Sparkish, a young man with whom she carries on clandestine meetings.