9 The Rebearsel a Verses catty off « heroic par. With all hi, the play is modestly writen; ‘Molite was 3 sound enough showman to know that pertnal spite fon stage is displeasing to watch, and the cemperance he exhibies Was jn contrast to che splee of his rivals who said and published many ‘wounding things about him, his family, and is eoupe. In che play Madeline Béjare and Armande urge him o wncork some return suse; he resists this, and today we can adanre hs taste and eeticence, just a the Coure audience may have done atthe fst performance ia 3665, and three wees later she public; when the play was given at ER laemoys Rokap ake wat nohang eer tthe la comes after the sequeice in which Mize plays an imaginary marques ‘who dete Mole, while another actor, Brcoure, sates Moll’ ‘ae, Molte is tus arguing agains himell He intone this scene ‘when he shows Brdcoure how co play the part; we then sce Molire laying the pare of Beécourt playing the pet of the chevalier whois Speaking in favor of Molie. Picandell, che master of this kind of, -any-dimenstned writin, never invented 2 more comple stvation, Trt dsm af he ey i in hgh, Ws dons haw ‘whether George Vili, Duke of Buckingham, had Moite's play In mind when, phe yes lates, he wrote The Aber! wih {reads in ordee to lampoon che heroics of Deyden and other English seventeenthecentuty dromatets, But eetsnly The Rebeorial af Ver- tailles became the ancestor of several subsequene Frenc play includ ing Anouil's Le Répétition (1950) snd Penore Bios (1956), and Girsudour’ glstcing LTespromptu de Pert (1997), 0 which Lous Jouree and other comediane put the playwright pint of view di- ‘erly eo the public, much ss Mali had dane for himself 275 yeas befor ‘THE REHEARSAL AT VERSAILLES LImpromptn de Versailles Douitns 2s himself and a2 ludicrous marquest La GRaNGe, 3 himself and as 2 second ludicrous marques :count, as himelf and a4 noblemen ‘bu exoisy, a himself and a playweigh: LA THORLLiNE, 262 marquess Who males «musanee of himself sans, 26 an oficious character MULE DU DaKG, 25 hertlf and aan affected earchioness te nézane, at bere and a2» pra DeLLE oe Dit, Berelf and a a furtive fice MOLLE MOLINE, as herself and 303 steel society wie MULE DU cxoir, 2 herself and as a sfespoken vixen exer noenvd, as heself and asa mannered servant gil Scene: The palace at Vera, Peat he tte te ate 4 Vena, bre te ly sft efor Te ‘members of the et cont of Wabires tester come fey, named the Tonge ae Mons,” In bor of {hei eran the brat kis IV Mol Ba called i eamany Tote to ler « es bly il ule, ba ob frorad ie ins thn te bonny deere te King, ab conned ru te nda neta ing thir farts orn dsr To mene ‘berlin, mowtnm, mdcour, ta canoe, 8 cael, oun (ld wi), ss ou exose (Du rot 7oe The Rehearsal at Verses wifey end sce eno are rn The atmos s epee ala bear are etepornrn 8 Sarah el svrgbody to oder} woubee: Please, Ides and gentlemen! You're wasting time we ean ford s everybody hexe? Damn i, will you pay attention? [He reeds the est lst.) ‘Monsieur de Brécoure nécounr: What? nous: Monsicer de le Grange. an onanct: Yer " ousine: Monsieur du Crier, by cosy: Hallo? ousbae: Mademoizlle du Parc swuce nu anc: Well? Mouibne: Mademoiselle Beat seu nian: What isi? ‘wouibne: Mademoislle de Bie. ut pe ante: Whis do you want? ouas: Mademoialle du Croiy eae oy cxowy: What's che matter? oust: Mademoiselle Hervé us envi: Almost ready. Liter, ll of 308, MouiEAE: Thete people willbe de nd of me. Listens al "You deliberately trying to make me loe my sanity? eer ee ce et ‘La ona: How can we act arts we aven'e lenened? The Rebearsl at Vernilles 99 aux ou vane: Thonetly don't remember one word I'm supposed 9 By. Decer pe mae: Tl have co be prompted from stct to Gh MELE nésaxr:TI have to bald my script. uce sou: So will cx msn: Ihave practically no lines to spe. Duan Dy chose: Nor have I but I won be reponse i Ou Du exosy: Ont hundred francs for anybody who wants my part. count: Flog me ewenty times before I play mie. ooUNE: Look atthe way you'ee all quivering ore a few simple att. What would you do if you were me? suis néyanr: Who feds sory for you? You wrote the play you're ‘ot aftad of drying up. mouins: A bal memory's not the only thing Vm afraid of. Ifthe play fail ies my failure. To stage 2 comedy for this kind of an audience sro joke. These are not eay people to amuse oe impress ‘They Inugh only when ehey fea ike fe, What suchor woulda’: cemblest Fag Hi estat? Taal be te one wh nase to back ove. Menus Béraet: If you's sereoun, it your own foe, You shold Ihave salen the proper precautions and given yourself more than a weck to pur the thing together. woutne: How could I help it? The King gave me an order. ents nézanr: How? By excusing yourelt sespectfally, By explin- ing that i's impouible in such’ shore time, Any other ruthor would have refused to commit himself 0 heavily. What happens fo our cepuatin ifthe play goes over badly? Think how your flvale will ghae about ie ‘SELLE Dx ane: She’ right. You should have politely asked the King 12 excuse you of to give you more tie, — 2wourine: A King expects prompt obedience; he doesn’t like obstacles thrown up at him. He want his entertainment when be asks for its he doesn’t wish to be hepe waiting, At far at he's conceened, the faster it prepared the beter. We can't seudy our personal feelings: were here to satisfy him, snd when he gives us an op- ‘portunity we must seize ie and do ovr best to gine him plese00 The Rebeatal ot Verne in return. Ie beter to make clumsy attempt chan not make san attempt unt too Tete, Even if'we don't enielysocced i be to or cred that we complied with orders And now plese the rece uu nant: How ae we apposed oreherte when we dont know ur pares? outa: But yow wil I promis not thorough, pehaps, but you do know what the play's about ad you can improvise fe in prose ‘MULE nésan: Pardon me. Prove is even worse then post uu wotsine: May Ty something? You should have witten & comic monalogwe fer yourll. DMouiENE: Be quit, my daling wife you'e a feo Dune wourine: Thank you my precios husband. Tha’ boy mae= ‘age changes pepe, You'd never have spoken to-me like Uae Sigheen month ago ouiins: Wil you plese be quiet! ui mous: Tes sang how + ltl ceremony ean detry a ‘man's fie quien The admirer becomes butbend, a ode deny he look a his wife with» difeens pi of yea Mount: Enough of thi hate. Dua wousins: Ys that would be my theme 11 wrote a py. Pd cxplen avay most of the faults women se acuted of md Pd esate the content boeween the cabinet of» husbad and the courtery of lover. outa: Tove. Let's drop the dacution; we hve more important ‘hinge do ae nézanr: When th King sited you for «reply to the eric ‘of your other work, why: die Jou write tie play abs the Bourgogne actors, whch you're ofen described to us? Te would have been perfect for this ocexsion. When the eer di thee Sstival poresie of you they Ife chemelves wie open end Your portrait of sham would be much more acutate Fcere han thes was of you? They tid to spoof your comic icing, 3h ms Yor Wien), to be scl the follwing dey by Melis sale teh Hotel ‘Bourgogne est ‘The Rebearsl at Veralles ser bat dy rr nisin you al ely he le oe wee yng your maken snc amen yo nln eg fo llaw 2 coms rere om He Dat ys ek issn arty ome very low to mody nae ak Secu wrt wing Sou alow him te cove had flit isos ee soem prse ousie: Ths erg but Thad my rts foro sting the ‘Bawtanes ove Bewecn my Fd chan Sa soa: Bia we' ve eed mon tine ovo ein They prom onthe me Sy ot we Tucan, Re Senbyand ant arn sm oon a pee led in Pats Sve et gs? Te age ale Sri ees end Sores th ein oe Fn SsifT waned portay thm with ep seuss ow nan: copszed saver of them medly fom yur impose Dat oe OTe hed ne otsbaa: They ware prof hima tm hd in ind a one Tine wich sigh have ben toy a acces: ele sou i oe sendy sl he othe one: We cn sre the tie ace oe on In cope of word onsine: ws hiking oboe «comely i wich» poyeigh— Tebavecthn ta pr mpl spean oy ape ‘ots ja comets tn: Heys Ene he hae “ee you the sco snd ete fred ts hs Forth ay of mien ‘od tenon ofthe situps Kins “Well Mona 1 live tre men and sone women whe sone acces Voces seapped™ nd which oe of you dos he fe on acter wnt od at nga” “as hn yong fll? Ae you jig? Aig ought t2 be big an blow, tht So of fou men uctooen oe bale ed ciel Ama who sly i eons a $e 2638 Forte prevows fen yu he company had ben tai tirogh the porn Tae Os ee *102 The Rehearsal at Verses bole youngster That's » mak agsnts him alcady. Now let me fee i Scams fe ica "Whcopon the actor recite ome ints fom Cornile's Nico ameden You remember the King in Act Two, sree on! “mur tll you, Arup, he ha ered me too well Extending my powers ‘And son, with rt the righs shade of natural fing. Bat che Blayorigh says “Wh,you cll dat declining? That mumble? Withoe any res? Listen tome [Ute imitates te tle of Montfenry, om relent ectr with the Hel de Bare poave tronpe) “Tat tll you, Arp, he ha served me ton well Extending iy powers" a "Naice ny tance saya our playwright, "ad the Broad se ture nd at teen of the spec Jou mus thunder ou the or lige Thavs how you win your audience. You rock them; they love i; they seem fr more” "Excuse me Monsieur” says the ato, "but i sere ro me he ‘when + king earying on # quiet convertion with one of Bit ‘cere speaks in» peel tone, nt like Satan aden is “Tha shows you done understand he teste” the playwrih ie, "Tall the way you jst di and se Lees ey woething dierent: + love see’ So next an actor and gn aetees do 3 beewoen Camila and Cudates, ia Act Two, seen fives™ ‘eananca: "My love, will you take pare inch “Mfsie withovtcoasdering the sk?” sacha rie ei a lt oa eater pees Seat Sibel by hr osemporis se Syng nt of ice ae se ahd Soe Sara at ‘Sst n alc pentane nt bernie of Crete ieee erent eae iEzmnietcses The Rebearal at Verses 103 ‘cuntarus: "Yes, T wll go with him knowing, 381 do, ‘Thus, fom his hand o from grie, Imus diet ‘A solic’ honoe become his own sifold— ‘They do ie naturally and quietly, as shey shold, But the ply wright comes back with, “That was 4 mockary-—worthles! ‘Here's the way co get it across: [He inate Mlle Besscbitows, an actress with the Bourgogne topes "My Love, wil you take fer in this grofergee Alfie without consiecing the ik?" the playwrighe add. “Pasonate sop smiling—id you watch my face?—theough the greatest lito." Well, that was the idea, ladies and gentlemen, We woald have ale with all the actos and aeteewes in the Bouegogne troupe in the ame way MLE De ante: ike ity and T recognized ach actor a 900 8 you ssid the fs lin. More, lense Moun: Rodrigue in Act One, scene six of The Cid-— [He impersonates Beaches, another Bowrgogue eclor®) "Wich my hear deply pierced by this terble ehruse 1 find myself called for revenge. Now I mst Uphold my old father's dicreiced name By wounding or killing ber father—thae ame Des lady Tove" ‘Or this one from Sértorns. Do you remernbue Pompeys speech in the frst seene of Act Thres? (He impersnstes Hesteroche, another ctor) “The enmity reigning between our two sides Shall never enfeble the honor that rides aug TG es om Cole's were ere ay ined 1 ae ies a tat layin ella at he Ht de owreene ope: At he tine Mate ard Comelie wes ato sping tr at Ns {ined to produce Covel dramas wit “antual” Geen tnd gebiny ‘The quate was repel some thee Jus ler, in ate Motes sage Ageia in 16by dil teye Ta wed reise: At tee hee oo Tee eo fils. Later Moles and Coached vith Quiet nd Tayi wing Pe104 he Rebearal ot Versailles “Above these low hatreds, stored, pervs ‘Which eheaten our virtues and being even worse Disses wpon ve—" seize De ris: Ye I recognize him too. sottbns: Or how sbout this fllow? [Hte impersonates enotber ator Villiers.) (Oedipus, Ace Five scene two, when he laras the truch about his birch: "You tll me ny father, Plybius, is ded. Ber why did you come with cis news that T dresd? “Way 701? Why the minister whom, above al, [Ho trated? The man who hay razed me? Seams imminent now" DLL DF nn: Yes, now who thet i. But there area few of them in that company you'd fad ie hard to imitate. ‘Mouiins: No, they coud all be mimicked, one way or snother if Yd studied them properly. Bue you're making me ware valuable tame ‘Lets concentrate om ourelvs, pets, and not get diverted by any more chatter, La Grange, are you ready? Yor be playing 2 marques and so will SELLE Moun Marquess agua “Mottin: Is anybody cle a appropiate for the comic butt? The ‘marques is your clowa in modern comedies Just atin the old days you had a servant a8 your comedian, today You must have a foppih marques to get the lavghe. ute nérarr: True, you can't do wichout your marquees Mouee: Now, you, Mademszelle da Pare— Due DU rane: 'm going to be awful inthis par, and T don’ se ‘why you always make me play + fashihable lady. :mousine: You suid the same thing in the last play, yet you pulled (off marvdously. Everybody said you couldn't have been bette. Youll dei sai, 1 promise you. You jut don't seaie bow vod you are 2MLLE DU Pate: How's that pasble? Nobody is les ofa fashionable lady chan Tam. 2mouibne: Exactly. That proves what a fine actress you sre, eapeuring 2 peron who i toraly unlike you. ‘Now I want you all to gee inside your characte, to become ‘all he Rebearel at Verses 05 ‘hem. Du Cissy, you're the playwright, and you must hill oxt his peronaliey. He a pedene moving in high sociecy and tying to [ld on co whe he thinks is his integrity. Pompous tone of voice, [Rigorous pronunciation which docsae miss single syllable; you can peactleily hear every letter spelled out. ‘Bricourt, your pat it exactly the same ss thet of Dorante in the lase play, an Nonest man at Court. Lok thoughtful, epee Jn natral rice, and getculte a litle a possible, {Ls Grangs, you don't need any advice, Mademoisile Bgjce, you're one of those women who think that because they don’t make love they can do anything elie. They sit back proadly on ther prudery, looking down on every new comer, each one tli herself that other women's viteer don't compare with her enseable honor—which nobody wants to tke from her anyway. Iimagioe her face in front of Jou 0 that you can cate te right expresons, ‘Mademoinlle de Bei, you play one of chose women who tink sets good atlong a nady knows she's bad. If there's no seandal, ‘here can’ te any sin, When she har an affair afoot she pureuct fe quietly and she cals the young men who carne wong bee "my inocent feinde.” Steep yourself in this characte. Mademoislle Molise, you too will erate the same charscter, asthe one ie the lst play. That's all T need ell you. The same 0c for Mademoiclle du Pare. ‘Mademoisle du Ceuisy, you're one of thore people who pay nasty compliments to everybody; you never miss z chance ro drop 1 see insu out of the side of your mouth, and you cane beat to heat anybody speak well of her neighbor. Think you can cary ths of wel. Finally, Nademaisle Hervé, you're similar to she servant girl, in Two Precons Maidens Riiceled. You join inthe conversion row and agan and borrow your mistre jergon. Te told you all about the important characterises, and 1 hope I've impressed them on you. Now well run through the text tnd see how ie goes, Whats this? Someone has cessed the re haa; chats all we needed. (Enter ux enon bodys frend.) Good morning, Monsieur Molize. routine: At your service, Monsieur, [aide] To hell with you. _marquess who likes co be every-106 The Rebearial at Versailles sutnas And how ie going? outine: Well enough, thank you. Now, lade — ‘La Tmonmine: I've jst been saying some nce things about you. ousine: You're very kind. [ode] Go up ia snake, Ladies, be care- ‘fh ‘Lx tmonstine: You're doing new play today? mouine: Yes, Monsieur. As I was saying, ladies, be careful not ‘un tmonitiabne: And che King commitsioned ic? Moutine: Yes, Monseue. Ladies, you must watch out for— ‘La THontine: Whats the name of it? Douiine: Yer, Monseus, ‘La twonmuidaus I aked you what you're calling i. MOLINE: Good heavens, I don't know. Plse, lade, st room st — {A THonsabns: What costumes are you wearing? ‘woutine: The ones we're wearing now. 1 ike you all ~o— ‘acTHomne: How soon wil you begin? DMoutERE: As soon asthe King comes [aside] One eupid question breeds another ‘La ruonzitne: How soon will that be? Mouiine: May T choke with anger, Monsieur fT know. ‘a THontisian You have no ides? Mouiéxe: Now look, Monsieur, Vim the mort ignorant man in ‘the world. T swe Ihave no eeply to whatever queton you atk sme. [ale] Pm losing the lide sel fsconteol Ihave lee. "Thie dale ‘wanders in with his poinles querer; nothing eulles him and he doesnt sem to realize that other people have werk 10 do, ‘La rmonsttine: Ladi, your bewitched servant. ouibas: Now he’ starting on them, {XA THontutbns: ("0 1112 bu exoisy] There you stan, at besutifl az feehly minted angel. [fo mus w8xvE] Are you both in the play? anus DU eros: Yer, Monsieur, he Rebeasel at Vernier 207 ‘La ronrusine: Without the ewo of you, the show woulda’ mount tomuch Moun: [to the women] Get rd of him. Shake htm of DELLE DB DALE: Monseor, we'te inthe middle ofa rehearal 1a THonmLsine: Of course you are, Don’t let me stop you. Keep ie wp. eve pe eat Boe ‘LA TMonILéat: No; iat, Pm the last man to intecrupe anybody. On with the show, a8 11 were nos here. nue pe mn: Yer, bt — 'Ux THoniBNE:T never stand on ceremony. You can rehearse ab ‘uch a you wish, Dousne: Monsiur, these Indies are trying to tll you tht they pre ‘for nos co have ay outers present dusing seers ‘La THonnéns: Why? I'm notin any dange, em TP ‘ouibne: I's a tradition in the theater. And you'll enjoy the per formance more when it comes ay surpite: ‘ua rouse: In that case lun along and ell everyone you's ready. ‘outtne: Don't huery, plas. There's no rash, [But 1a rHonesine scampers ont with Bir news} ‘The word is full of fole. Once and for all let's begin. You are all avare that he play taker place in the King’ antechambee. ‘Tha’s spor whece amusing things happen every day. We con sume that almost everybody comer there, and invent reasons for the arial of the adie Dye inroduced. ‘The play opens, with the ewo marquesses meting. ‘Remember to come in, La Grange, at I told you to, with that swaggering manner they call the society air, fussing with your ‘wig and humming » lede melody: ly Ly Inj ay layla The est of you arrange yoursdver over there to'give us enough room; these are not men who lee themselves be crowded in, Fits line, please. 1 GtaNce: "Good morning, Marquess.” Mls dy Ces and Hert alway played secondary sles; hey wer wo of hes sete montero eae308 The Rebearal at Versailer sousae: That sounds nothing lke 2 marqver, Take ie ile higher. ‘Mos of these fellows afece'a special way of talking, to distinguish ‘themselves from the common herd. “Goad morning, Marquess” Agia 1A GRANGH: "Good mocnings Marques.” MoUIERE: "Ah, Marquess, your devoted servi.” 1a oxanoz: "What are you doing here?" MotiénE: "As you se, I'm waiting forall these gentlemen to move and clear the doorway, 40 thee T ean show my face.” at a feighefl erowal I'm re a all anxious to join ‘the erash, Tike eo be among the last to nie.” MoUIBRE: "There ate ewenty poople there who hare no hope of [esting in, yee they keep pushing and block every apoach tothe ooeway.” La ctawer: "If we give our mame tthe user, hel call wea.” outine: “That's all very well fr you. Pevonally, Ihave no desire to provide material for Moliéee” 1A ORANGE: "Yet T thnk, Marquess that i was you he was ita: ting in The Criticism of "Pe Sebo for Wives! wouitne: “1? Excuse me, ie was you t9 the life {A onan: "Welll You're generous to lend me your cheraeaities” Mouitins: "No, you're funny to offer me whic belongs to you” "Tha a ezeam” (He longhs] seoustans "Tes a riot” (Ufe lngls louder} {La ORANGE: “Do you seriously clsim that you woren’e che macguess in The Criticrm?™ ‘MouIBne: “OF course T wat; exactly like me. With that busines in scene five about eresm polls "Crcem pull, I hace them, ught (Ceeam puts: they're devsablel” Fi wast me, wh eae wei 1A GHANGE: "Nobody eit, Ie’ not a bic of we pretending t0 be ironic. Ifyou like well bet on i and se sich one of i sight.” She Coico of The Sebo! for Wines wes Moi’ previous pay tnd the’ pe rele to vig the Citing tne ("Vow wll beth tae ‘hres in the Ist plate}, In The retin Noli guy some tf he prpte who bad fue fa ith The ele! or Wives vetoes te the oxercy of his mimey that everbody cemgncedereboly ee at the ba of Boke’ ote, The Rebearsal at Verailles 109 ouibne: “How mach?” ‘Lx oxance: "Tl ly 2 hundeed pstle that it was you.” MouuERE: "One hundeed pstole it wat you.” 1s cxanots “One hundeed down?” MOUIERE: "Ninety on seeount and tea down." 1a cxaar: "Agreed." outa: “Taken.” {LA GRAwcE: "Your money i txking geese risk.” DMoutine: "Yours is in motal pei {La cxance: "Who i going to settle this for us?" [antcounr epochs them.) fers the very man, Chevalier!” he MoLIERE: Very good, Beécourt You sound exactly lke 4 marques ‘Bae you're not playing a marques. Az T said before I want you ‘ospeak naturally. ‘snicoune Il try again, outine: Good, "Chevalier! anécounss "What i ie” MoLibRE: “Wess engaged in 2 dispute over wh is the model forthe ‘marques in Molite's phy, He bes Iam and I'm betting be i" ‘ulcouRr: "And I ny it's nether one of you. You'te both foolish to ead yourselves into that play. The other day I heard Molire guing with soma people who charged him with che same offense, “Hie replied chat nothing diplered him more than being accuse of taking particule peoples targets. His sm, he sid sto pores and not individuals? and all the people wTw appar in Tis Rojan agains pltons if you lit he vows then hae gos along in sach'a way ato entertsn the audiences and he Would be embserssed if they eexmbled actual people: For some ® Moles suing ofthe actors he i iitatng ely nthe ply makes this spec ound fs Ua sincere. He probly wes 19 paces be choses fo tot 20 moth obowtous pepe at bccn habs And aude. AIT he sue, hs hace Tila ted Vadis in inet Bay, Let Fewer sonny, cem to beste poate of sb wage) {Ca poet med tage and sre of eds is ee se alos srely modeled on erin of Lair XIV" pbpiens10 The Rebeara at Veriles rosa, had hi vale always tale» caenin peor in eracking ‘Gown mannerisms and acaributing them to people he didn hia of at all, in order to soil hie relations with those people. I's be- ome snort bad enough, he ad, to deter him fom weting any ‘more plays; and J agree with him. Why bother eo pin such and fuch erat on so-and-so when hi characters have teats hat could Sea hundeed diferene people? The busines of comedy is to pre- tt the aw common to all men, and expecially the men of out tine Ie would be imposible for Maite eo dream up people who reambled nobody you've ever met. If he is going tobe challenged ‘with pillrying cvery living person who has the same faults at Tis characters, he will indeed have to sop weting play. orténe: "Conse, come, Chevalier. You're defending lite in order to spate ovr friend here” 1a GRanor: [Zo MoLIERE] “You've mised the point. I's you he’s sparing, I vote that we got some other opinion ‘MoUibnE: "Yes. But Sat tll us, Chevalier, if you don think that ‘your Mole is running out of inspirstion?™ anicouer: "No, my deat Macquess, I don'e. Well keep providing ‘ew inypiration, becnuse that's our nature, We never change, wherever he 95 oF does” Motsine: Juse + moment. Let's bring chat whole section ove more ‘congly. TH run uhrough che pasage frst Listen: "First tell us, Chevalier, if you don’ think that your Maite is ning ove of inspicaion?™ “Noy my dear Marques, I don's, Well keep providing new Inspiration, because chat’ ur nature. We never change, whatever Ihe aye or does. Do you imagine that he as used up every human folly? Without going ouside this Coore, can't we chink of rwenty ‘ypes he hasn't 99 much az eovched on? For example, how about ‘hore who tear their friends apart—as soon as the fiends move tray? Or the sycophants who pesve everybody they move with the sore of rwestnen that turns your stomach? Or those creping characters who cury favor with you when you're rch 2ad turn thie backe on you the mament you're in trouble? Or chore dis- contented soul chore weless hangers-on who grumble about other People's appointments when they've spent the past cen years plaguing the Prince for a post? Or thor cksitles who ty to top Sich other with thir servile grestings? — ‘Monsieur, Your mast Slfecionate servant’ — "Monsieur, Tam enscely yours” The Rebeasal ot Versailles a "My fend, T would do anything for you" ="Use me as you wil, Mons "eat te a8 your dearest ine fonseur, I embrace you gratefully? "Ah, Monsieur, how I fave mised yea! Be gencrous and le me defer to your every whit” er me convince you at I bong to you. U seer you unashamedly.” a ™ honor nobody mare than you beg you to beire me! "1 entree you never to doube my lovee” atm your lekey? Yon cree” SiYoar dover do om You se, argues, Mole hat more sujots to ote fom thn he'll ever know what te do wits Ads pal th ings he a picked om fad theyre» me fan of ‘That's roughly how the speach should go. anécounr: I follow. ouitns: Take it from there nécount: "Here come Climne and fie” ‘Morsine: Thats your cug, ladies. Mademoiselle du Pate, make certain ‘You wiggle your hips correccly and exaggerate pour bebavion ‘You may fee! uncomfortable, bur what docs chat matter? Some- timer we have todo violence to our nies, normal seve, MILE Motte: “Indeed, Madame I knew it was you ev dlszance became nobody else has quite the same walk. itz bu rane "Tm waking here fr 2 man to come ou, you know T have some business Saar with him.” * MELE MoLIeRE: “The same with me.” -Mouiins: Ladies, you ean vse chee bores for chairs te DY rane: "Won'e you have a rat, Madame?” Dix mousing: “After you, Madame” MouIENE: Good, You nod geting the ots ad ay wated for 1 rest of the conversation, Not the two marques, though ‘They bob up and dows—they stand they sess they feel more or les agitated "Chevalier, you relly oughe ro give your gates some medicine" fromaa The Rebesrial ot Versiles “Thanks for not making me laugh.” sexu aeonsénr: "Madame, I Hove the bleached white of your eom- plexion aad the angry sed of your lip.” ete pv rane: "Don's look at ey Madame, I beg of you. Tam z0 valy eodey” Mute Mouiins: "Now, now Life your veil lice higher." ell you I loa frightful I errify msl "But you ace bestil” "Tm aoe, Yn not” sects oviinn: sexu mousine: "Do let me.” ana mousing: "Oh, why?” ‘Ym determined not to uae mousing: ive up this opportuni.” Mute bw nunc: "You're uch a stenge person. When you want Something you want ie feverishly.” ‘sete monsine: “I swese that you'll do yourelf no harm by coming ‘vt into the dayighe. Those awfal people who el me you put {tui on your facel Staff and nonsense! Now Tl be able "0 "ay tha i's oe ere” DELLE Du panc:"Oh, dese, T don’t even know what you man by nfl. Where ace those others going?” [The others move towerd them in # gion.) “Mts bE an: “Ladies, how would you like to eae some delightful ‘new? Oue dramatine, Monseve Lysidae here, har just informed ‘us that a play has been writen stacking Mali, and i's going ‘9 be done by the Bourgogne toupe aouitne: “That's teve. Somebody wanted to rad it co me. A Sllow ‘named Bato o¢ Brooso—" The Rebeartal at Vernier 5 DU cxOwr: “His name is Boursoule, and he ie indeed lined a8 author ‘onthe placards, but Tl et you all in on a secret, A number of| ‘people ad « hind in the writing, 0 now everybay's dying £0 te it All the playwrights and actors in Paris look on Mole 5 ther main enemy, 20 we wnited against him, Every ons of us hs added « brush stroke wo the portrie, but we rained from publishing our ames. People would have thoughe ie too exy I he were crushed by the whole of Parnaseus at once. We want to make his defeat more shameful by giving the ered to an ‘unknown ster" eits bu vane: “Nothing, Tatuce you, could make me happier.” outins: “Nor me, Mocking the mocker—jast wha: he deserves, "Now lee him sur. ute bu ranc: "This wil teach him not ro male fof everything. ‘The sounded doesn’t wane women to have any wit. He condemns all our fine phrases and would like noching beter than for ws £0 ‘alle ike cleasing women.” daute oe ane: "The language it noching. Hle make: fon friend, innocent though they 2r- According 9 him, Fonest to have any vires Meuie Dv enor: “That's unbeatable, There isn't 2 woman in town ‘who ean doa thing anymore. Why doc’ he leave ove burbande lone instead of opening thse eyes to matters they bnow nothing bow” ence néyanrs “That fan's impoctant "The would-be w ‘ven honest women; he eas them dignified she-del ent mouskan: "I hope the rogue stews in his own jue but eater: “He wl, Madore, when the play i performed. ‘The ctor: will need all the suppore we can mater” Deuce BU Panes "Lee them not fst. I peronally guarantee that i'l be a sucess 2a aoustne: "You's sight. Too many people havea stake i “All thse who think they have ben mistreated by Molite won't miss the chance to come and applaud” sanicourr: "No, [ean chink of twelve marques, cx frécienes, ‘ewenty coguetes, and thiety euckolde who will come and cheer themes hoorm4 Phe Rebearal at Verses sexu worse: “I don't blame thm. Why shold he ie 0 many ‘people, expecially che euckalds? Wiehowe them society couldnt Fonction” mouene: “By herve, I bleve he and it play ae in for more ‘hin punting a pting from nuthrs and actors alice, the greercand the wale ruts outs: “Serves him sight, Why shoud he wrt these wicked ‘nei forall Pasi to ey wich peopl in tere weal recogni? Why doen’ be waive like Monsieur Lysian, who never attacks 2 soul? You never hear another playwright sy 2 word 2gainst iin: His works may noe be popula, but they do's fend oe provoke anybody aod weall gree tat cere cleanly wees tv crote: “es face that Ive never been valucky enough cme any enemien, and cholic sem to approve of my witing” uc motibne: "You can be stiied with youre then. That a9- ‘real it worth mere than the appater and the money that “oli plye carn What do you coe whsther or ot the public comes to Your plays at ong Your eallesguc eapet her? 1 cnsaon: “When i che performance of The Pent Pented?™ Do oss 1 done know, bu Fm erring ein the front row 10 that eveeybody will ear when T shox “Drove “They hear me to.” “La oman “And me by besven eit oy mane; “Jot le any people boo and Fil down ther out inate We the eas we ean doco ph bor ira” suet qoutes “Well i" ‘LE De au: “Wet with you, every on of 8" ounne nézants “Debit.” DULL oy exons “With ll my beast” ‘sae end: "No quater for thie seputation-euine.” ‘mouine: "My word, Chevalier, your Molite had better go into hiding’ saniccunr: "Not he, IE know hin, he'll be ae the opening night and fell laugh a5 loudly as everybody else at the eacieature of| Ise This i, in at, wat Motive dit dating the Gt showing of The Paine Pid The Rebeasal at Verses as Moutine: “Yes, ehrough hit clenched teeth aicourr: "Who knows? He may find more matter for enjoyment the play than you expect ve looked at the seript, and since ‘most amusing lines init are lifted from Malie's own work, ‘he won't object if the audience lker therm, As forthe remarks ‘hat are intended co slighe him, unlese Vim very much rises the audience wll ave no sympathy for chem, And when it comer to the people who ate gathering to support the play because they think Molitre’s characters are to clo to eal life, Team only sy theyre behaving in doubeful tate, I can imagine nothing more ridiculous. T-never thought that ie was immoral for a ctor £0 imitate peopl sill ‘acnanor: "The Dourgogne performers tll me that they expect him to retaliate in some way, and that aricounr: “Relate? If you ak me, he'd be 2 fool to both Everybody knows the motives behind this play and why ies fall of invectives the best reply he could make would be to write new play thac becomes as much of» bit a the cher, That's how he should take his revenge. And if T know anything of the Bourgogne actors, nothing will annoy chem more then losing thei audiences to his next production. Ie wll be better than & thousand comedies that stcize them in person.” Mouine: “But, Chevalie—" Mie néyanr: May I interrupe the schesrl for 2 moment. T want t sy something. If T were you, 1 aerange things diferenly Erecybody expeets you to make a vigorout reply, and from what Theard ofthe way you were dele with in tht comedy, you have ‘rey right co come back ae chem I hope you won't spore a single 2aourinn: I get angry when heac you speak like thie. You women, you'd lke me to By off the handle and copy theis ches ger How much good would chat do me? How much harm would fe them? Isn't that just what theyce prepared foe? When they Tere thinking about this play of thes in the Sere place, they must have said to exch other, “Ler him abuse us a1 much’ a3 he likes afterward, along as we make our money.” Te ie poste te shame such’ people? Won't T avenge myuell better by not iving them what they expert?né The Rehearsal at Verses aut oe anie: They made 2 great fos, all che same, about those ‘three ot four words you used against them in The Citicim and ‘Two Precious Maidens Mouiéne: Ie's true. Those three or four words were inzlting, and ‘they're cigh co quote them. Bu that's not why they're annoyed. ‘The rel injury Pre done them i chat I've been foreunate enough to make audiences laugh lite louder thin they can. They've vied for shae ever since we came to Pasi, Buc lee thern ey ‘whatever they wish they won't distueb me- They erieize my plays? All the better! Heaven forbid hat those plays should ever Plea chem! Vd be mote uahappy about tbat seute pe ant: Sul i+ not much fun to see your wack torn to bits. aovsine: Whats that co me? I got 24 much out of my play a8 Pd Thoped for, because ie appealed ro the select audience at” Cours, for whom ie was weiteen. These insult have come a lee lat, But if they come at all hats hardly my busine now. [e's not 2% Be Rig ond hi fends, wh ‘MLE DE BRE: All the same, I woulda’c let that squir of 2 Boursault get aay with viliying somebody who hes done nothing. his. ouiéne: You're mad, Boursaule asthe theme ofan evening’ enter- tsinment for the Couet? How could you ste him co make him tera tamsing? And suppots, somehow, that you could, hed be grateful to raise + laugh any laugh, even at his own expense. ‘You'd be doing him too mach honor t impersonate him in feont of such 3 dstinguised gathering. le couldat stk for mare. He's 2 man who has nothing to lose, He chooses to attack me beeare tht is one way of gecting hs name known. The Bourgogne actors have unlesshed him oaly in order eo entangle me in an idiotic svar, and to keep mem busy fighting ie that I won't have ce fo write more plays. And yet you are simple enough co want to adopt their steacegyt Whe am T going to do, then? Wel, T neand to make = pus announcement te this lect T will noe answer their rics or cei counterciticsms. “They can say the very worst things of my plas: I don’t mind. "They can take my plays and euen them inside oat like jacks foe thie stage, and they can try to prof from whatever good chings they find in thm and fom my modest succes; 1 give my ‘consent. They seal he material, and Tam only too happy to The Rehearsal ot Versailles a7 ontbate to thie lep, provided hey’re happy with what can them, For coutery har ts limi thee ee wme tinge that don't amuse either spectators er the pee who beg imeskd 1 wilingly ot vp my pay my ace) my gees ‘my wordy my tone of Wee, I tailce my wiht of the tds for cham to we they will Ihave no cjecdons to whaterc they sks iol the mince he eB in ling a hs 0 thes serv the resea my own property. ‘They mut be ft and not accuie me of morale eligiosdlinguenry, ns they fave done Sepa ‘That is all I wil plitely a of this honesegentlean whom they've engaged to write their play, and tae the only {acon hey shal he fom nt " MULE néyanr: But in the end — Mouiine: But in the end you'l infuriste me, Let's sy no_ mote shout it. Were chatting once more instead of rehearsing. Where were we? T don't cemember MELEE DE mnt: We'd just got tothe place whero— Moubns: What's tha noise? Te must be the King coming, and now ‘we have no time to go chrough the ra of the sxe. Thats what comes of gotsiping. Wel, i+ too bud. Tecan only say: do the best you ean, eu nézanr: Tm so eightencd fw dont run throug the wh lay opin TH ge de Smetana ewe ouitne: You sill doa’ know your part thoroughly? decce ntyanr: No. nett bv anc: Nor de I DULL ae ates Nor do L Maus Mouaine: Nor I. Nor nix bu cxoir: Nor I MouibAE: What can T de? Are you all mocking me? [eisane enter.) -thya Gemlemen, Thine bmn kd to adie you thn he King it ‘here and is waiting for you to begin. " eousine: Ah, Monsiar, min torment at thie moment, i utse espe. These ladies are tered; they say they must rehearsene The Rebeartal at Versiler theie lines more thoroughly before we can pecform. We beseech you; allow us 2 few more minuter, The King is magnanimous and hae knows tha we have been rushed. (wigan nods ond leaves [Lo the sctreses] Now, plese Try to pall yourselves together, Be brave. ait DU rane: You'd beter atk the King to excuse you. Movtine: Ac this time? How? [Some counmiens file in and lake their lace) rast couxmten: Gentlemen, let's bein, ‘Mouténe: In a moment, Mossieu. (10 th actors} I think Vm losing ‘my mind over thie— stcono covrmien: Gentlemen, le’ bein Drouin: One moment, Mensur. [0 mite Bu Dane} And then ‘hae? Do you wane meso avon the King? sano courrier: Gentle, et begin ouibne: We wil, we will (lo Ube actor] All sae people come basting inane ll st nin, but the Ring hime has witbevrder ye OUNTH COUNTER; Genter, le’ begin ‘aousins: Very ton, Mons. What's chi? Ho's coming back with ‘he oer? (trans return] ‘Yes, Monin, you've exe to el et to beg, bt -néyant: No, gectemen, ve come to ell you tha the King fat ‘ren informed of your cule, and by his spell geet shed eto sey at yout new comedy tay be prrpened sod hath wl be etd eh anyother play You ne ey 0 Be .Mousins: Monsees, you setore me to life. The King bat pent "the gree pone frvor in giving ve mice ne to prepere {Be poy shat wes writen ses foqut and be at out devost ‘hanks for Bs boundlew seers. CURTAIN, CW The Forced Marriage GLICRD With music composed by Lully, ballet interludes in which Louie XIV, the Due dEnghie, che Marguis de Villeroy, and other noble, men’ tok part, Le Alariage fred was fist and foremane 4 Cove femtersinment. Is opening performance in January, "664, tok pice in the Queen Mothers apactment in che Louvee As tho to aver that he wat faithful to his erly souseen, Molt went back 0 what looks on the surface like another commedin delle ple buc seusly owes a debe to Rabel dslogue berween Panurgeand Pentagrul. The former wants to get maried for pleaute and came Pasionship—Vae sll (Woe unto hien whois alone)—but i esd ‘that somebody will make cuckold of him, as be in his time hat suckolded others. After the frst sequence between Sganselle and Géronimo, Mole brings on Dorimine, and in the space Of 3 foot pages succinctly eablshes these three charters snd Sganardlt lemma. The play intcoduces five more characters, in sdltion £0 ‘the two Gypsien and each one occupies an important role in the Story, yee is diferenisted as 2 personality. Forts lngeh this Molize's most neatly executed comedy. The ptilosphers, living in thei tight little mental enclorore undoubtely inspired’ sinios characters who later appear in Moniowr de Penreongrces Le Bowe eas gentilbomme, and Le Malede imetinare, Tes worth noting, that in The Forced Mariage, asin many of his other plays, Mote doesnot spare his ero. The plo i sounded off logielly ne he nd, buc Sgunarlle's destiny is oe an enviable one, Unlike many of his succestors, Mali refused to impose a happyending by, for example, raking hiv character see the light and save himself through food 119