Le Misanthrope

Le Misanthrope, ou l'Atrabilaire amoureux () is a comedy in five acts by French playwright and actor Jean Baptiste Poquelin de Molière (1622-1673) [1],

Best known under its shorter title of Le Misanthrope

The original text

Regarded by many critics as Moliere's greatest play, it presents us with a study of the conflict between the human being's his own individuality and his needs as a social animal.

The play opened on 4 June 1666 in the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris, presented by the King's Players.

Translations and adaptations

Translated into English verse by Richard Wilbur, entitled The Misanthrope. This translation was first produced at the Poet's Theatre, Cambridge, Mass. on 25 October 1955.

Performance history in South Africa

1977: Presented by CAPAB Drama at the Nico Malan Theatre, opening 18 March, directed by Robin Lake and starring Keith Grenville (Alceste}, John Whiteley (Philinte), Roger Dwyer (Oronte}, Rika Sennett (Célimène), Lois Butlin (Eliante), Helen Bourne (Arsinoé), Philip Godawa (Acaste), Peter Cartwright (Clitandre), Pippa Dyer (Basque), Peter Krummeck (A messenger), David Crichton (Alceste's valet) and Neville Thomas (Célimène's manservant). Designers Peter Krummeck (set), Jennifer Craig (costumes), John T. Baker (lighting). The performance was preceded by Love's the Best Doctor.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Misanthrope

World Drama by Allardyce Nicoll. Harrap, 1949. 327-328.

The Misanthrope theatre programme, CAPAB 1977.

Photograph by Paul Alberts (1977 production), NELM.

Go to ESAT Bibliography

Return to

Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays

Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays

Return to PLAYS III: Collections

Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances

Return to South African Festivals and Competitions

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page