The author, son of a novelist, is a master of Baudeville. He elevates this minor genre to perfection with great technical skill, showcasing artistry in a less common form.
The narrative captures a whirlwind of misunderstandings and chaotic interactions, embodying the essence of Feydeau's comedic genius. It serves as a humorous counterpart to Zola's "Nana," highlighting the absurdities of social dynamics and human folly. The play is characterized by its frantic energy and sharp wit, showcasing the author's talent for blending farce with insightful commentary on society.
Exploring the complexities of marriage and infidelity, the story centers on a charming politician and his glamorous wife, who grapples with her suspicions about his fidelity. While he publicly adores her, his late-night outings raise doubts, leading her to question his honesty. As she navigates her feelings, she learns to combat deception with cleverness and wit. This comedic tale, adapted by Tamsin Oglesby from Georges Feydeau's work, offers a fresh and humorous perspective on the intricacies of love and trust.
In a world where absurdity reigns, the narrative explores the chaotic interplay of characters caught in humorous and outrageous situations. With sharp wit and clever dialogue, it delves into themes of identity, societal norms, and the unpredictability of life. The plot unfolds through a series of interconnected events that highlight the ridiculousness of human behavior, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of comedy and the fine line between reality and farce. This engaging tale promises both laughter and insight.
The plot revolves around Raymonde, who suspects her husband Victor Emmanuel of cheating and seeks the help of her best friend Lucienne to confirm her suspicions. Together, they devise a theatrical scheme involving a perfumed letter to ensnare him at the Hotel Coq d'Or in Montretout. The story features an ensemble cast of five women and nine men, blending intrigue and comedy in a clever exploration of relationships and deception.
Set in early 20th-century France, the play explores the comedic complexities of marital fidelity through the interactions of Saint Franquet, a charming predator, and Micheline, a devoted wife. Their escalating battle of wits and emotions unfolds humorously, especially when Micheline learns of her husband's infidelity and seeks revenge. With its sharp dialogue and modern themes, the work captures the nuances of gender relations, showcasing Feydeau's genius in blending social commentary with laugh-out-loud moments.
FarceCharacters: 13 male, 7 female, plus extras.Multiple setsThe lady has two lovers: a ne'er do well who is secretly affianced to a Baroness' daughter and a flamboyant Spanish general who challenges to a duel any man who comes near her. An amateur composer who hopes the lady will sing his song places his card in a bouquet sent anonymously and thereby seals his fate: the ne'er do well uses him to divert the general's flashing sword. Meanwhile, the ne'er do well is trapped in his skivvies outside his apartment. When the cops come to arrest him for indecent exposure, you can be sure it is the songwriter who goes to jail. The comedy vibrates with farcical situations and extrications before the truth is revealed. "A triumph of ingenuity, gaiety, absurdity and laughter." Daily Telegraph
A collection of three farces from Georges Feydeau, commonly accepted to be France's best comic dramatist since Moliere. This collection includes three plays translated by British translator Peter Meyer.
(Applause Books). Feydeau was the greatest of a great age of French farceurs and the first to enter the modern repertory. Of the more than 40 plays Feydeau wrote, over a third were one-acts. In this volume, Shapiro has selected and translated eight of these one-act plays, among them Feydeau's first and last works. Includes: Ladies' Man * Wooed and Viewed * Romance in A Flat * Fit to Be Tried, or, Stepbrothers in Crime * Mixed Doubles * The Boor Hug * Caught with His Trance Down * Tooth and Consequences, or, Hortense Said: "No Skin Off My Ass!"
Wild plots and quicksilver wit characterize the plays of Georges Feydeau. Called the greatest master of French comedy since Moliere by admirers such as Kenneth Tynan, Feydeau reflects the lusty tradition of the French bedroom farce as well as the tough exorbitant humor later to find full expression in the theater of the absurd. The plays offered in this volume represent the major stages of Feydeau's career. The one-act Wooed and Viewed was his first comedy, written in 1880. On the Marry-go-Wrong shows Feydeau on the way to becoming a master of mad imbroglio, a talent that he demonstrates in Not by Bed Alone. Going to Pot is a one-act play of conjugal strife of the emotional intensity that marked his work toward the end of his career.
A consummate farce in which a middle-aged man arranges a rendezvous in a seedy little hotel with the beautiful young wife of his best friend. Plays for Performance Series.