SOURCE: Lock, F. P. “The Busy Body.” In Susanna Centlivre, pp. 63-77. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1979.

In the following excerpt, Lock cites The Busie Body as an excellent example of Centlivre's style and method, emphasizing her careful construction of plot and skillful use of intrigue.

Two years elapsed between Centlivre's marriage in 1707 and the production of her next play. She put the interval to good use in writing what is probably her best play. The Busy Body remained popular with theatergoers on both sides of the Atlantic for over one-hundred-fifty years. Yet this success was not won without a struggle. Mottley tells us that “when it was first offered to the Players, [it] was received very cooly, and it was with great Difficulty that the Author could prevail upon them to think of acting it.” During rehearsals Robert Wilks, who was to play the leading role of Sir George...