Written by acclaimed Austrian author Johann Nestroy, Söndagslejonen is a hilarious and biting satire of Viennese society in the 19th century. Through the struggles of its protagonist, the play explores themes of wealth, power, and ambition, and is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Austrian literature.
The narrative revolves around three apprentices whose lives are influenced by a contest between luck and love, personified by Fortuna and the love fairy Amorosa. Initially, two of the apprentices squander their good fortune, but ultimately, true love prevails, banishing the seductive "spirit of misfortune." The play, rich with musical elements and references to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, explores themes of morality and the conflict between wealth and love. Johann Nestroy's work exemplifies the pinnacle of the Alt-Wiener Volkstheater tradition.
The tension in Michael and Helena Hoffmann's marriage escalates with the arrival of a new maidservant, Josie, who complicates their already fragile relationship. The situation worsens when Muffett, Michael's former master, answers an ad for a manservant, introducing further conflict and intrigue. The dynamics between the two women and two men create a web of complications that challenge the Hoffmanns' already unstable union.