Wild Oats; or The Strolling Gentlemen

The play centers around the character of Captain Flash a charming and adventurous young man who along with his companion the roguish Dick Doleful roams about in pursuit of fun and fortune. The plot follows their misadventures and mistaken identities leading to humorous situations that expose the follies of high society and the pretensions of social rank. At its core Wild Oats is a satire of the fashionable world mocking the behaviors and attitudes of the aristocracy. The title refers to the youthful exuberance and reckless behavior of the central characters who despite their flaws are portrayed in a lighthearted and sympathetic way. Their escapades lead them into comedic misunderstandings including love triangles and social pretensions ultimately resulting in a happy resolution where order is restored and the characters find their rightful place in society.