The Man of Mode

The play is set in Restoration London and follows the womanizer Dorimant as he tries to win over the young heiress Harriet and to disengage himself from his affair with Mrs. Loveit.

The part was first played by Thomas Betterton and Sir Fopling, the flamboyant fop of the hour, by William Smith.

In 2007 the National Theatre produced a modern dress production of the play, directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring Tom Hardy as Dorimant.

Young Bellair, the handsome acquaintance of both men, enters and relates his infatuation with Emilia, a woman serving as companion to Lady Townley—his devotion is ridiculed.

Young Bellair admits to having written a letter promising his acquiescence to his father's will in due time so as to deceive him.

Dorimant appears and accuses the women of spying on him and also that Mrs. Loveit has encouraged the affections of Sir Fopling; in a pretended state of jealousy, he leaves.

Belinda persuades Mrs. Loveit, on Dorimant's request, to take a walk on The Mall and be 'caught' in the act of flirting with Fopling.

When Mrs. Loveit encounters Fopling she acts flirtatious, in spite of not liking him and succeeds in making Dorimant jealous.

Medley suggests he attends a dance at Lady Townley's which Harriet will be, though in the disguise of "Mr Courtage", to take his mind off Mrs. Loveit.

[2] John Dryden used similar themes in his 1678 work Mr. Limberham; or, the Kind Keeper, but far less successfully; the play was only performed three times and has been described as his 'most abject failure.