Le Misanthrope

Le Misanthrope or The Atrabilious Man in Love (1666) is a comedy in five acts by French playwright and actor Jean Baptiste Poquelin de Molière (1622-1673) [1], regarded by many critics as his greatest play. This is a study in the opposition in the human being between his own individuality and his needs as a social animal.

The original text

The play opened on 4 June 1666 in the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris, presented by the King's Players.[1]

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.

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