How does one act proper in a room full of ladies with bursting bosoms and men sporting pinky rings?

South Whidbey High School actors recently gathered to learn how at an acting workshop of 18th century English manners. The workshop, led by Western Washington University acting professor Maureen O’Reilly, was an introduction to the style, habits and physical manners of 18th century society.

The students were preparing for the opening of the school’s February production of Oliver Goldsmith’s period farce, “She Stoops to Conquer,” and these actors had a lot to absorb.

“The women often stood on their heads when having their corsets laced up,” said O’Reilly.

This, she said, guaranteed that a woman’s decolletage (cleavage) was high and attractive.

The students looked around and smiled at each other. O’Reilly wasn’t fazed by their embarrassment.

“It’s what women used back then to attract men,” added O’Reilly. “It’s what the men were looking at.”

Men’s attractiveness, on the other hand, was judged by the way their calves bulged and were shown off by wearing tights. Subsequently, when women were present men usually stood with one leg extended to the front and slightly turned out with a pointed toe, in order to show off a smashing calf muscle.

O’Reilly brought the students through the paces of customs such as a woman’s use of a fan, which has a language all its own. Men customarily wore handkerchiefs as part of their ensemble, tucked into a ring on their pinky finger.

They also used snuff and after each use the snuff box was politely passed around the room. It was always considered a faux-pas to sneeze after snuffing.

Black liner was used to create “beauty spots” to cover blemishes on the face which often, said O’Reilly, made an unfortunately acne-prone individual look pretty ridiculous.

Women were required to pick up their skirts from the middle when climbing stairs, never from the side, and men often carried staffs which they planted upright and to the side of their bodies.

O’Reilly also showed the cast some dance movements that were required knowledge for all members of society during that time.

The elegant movements included bows, curtsies, a bit of what looks very much like line dancing and circling with one’s partner while the arms are held aloft.

Contrary to all the demureness of manner that is so much a part of 18th century drawing rooms, Goldsmith’s play indulges in what could only be called a romp of rousing comedy.

Full of witty, fast-paced dialogue, physical slapstick and a plot that involves mistaken identities, “She Stoops to Conquer” is an exercise in comic timing.

The play celebrates class, courtship and families that are as crazy as they come.

Ashley McConnaughey directs the play and said it has been a whirlwind these last several weeks with power outages and snow closures.

“The kids are working so hard for this show – what a challenging piece,” she said.

“They are really spending time learning the craft of acting, and are having to instantaneously apply it to their character and the play. It’s amazing to see them blossom,” she added.

The cast includes Rowan Firethorne, George Hastings, Lacey Klamm, Kate Nilsen, Lisa Meier, Mark Arand, Erik Sundquist, Geoffrey Wilson, Zora Lungren, Samantha O’Brochta, Gabe Harshman, Samantha Yocco and Luca Cataldo.

“She Stoops to Conquer” shows at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 9 and 10, 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, and 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the South Whidbey High School auditorium.

Patricia Duff can be reached at 221-5300 or pduff@southwhidbeyrecord.com.