L'Avare ("The Miser") is a five-act comedy in prose by French playwright Molière (1622–1673)[1]. It was first performed on September 9, 1668, in the theatre of the Palais-Royal in Paris. Published in 1669.

Molière's play was inspired by Plautus's classic Latin comedy Aulularia (usually translated as "The Pot of Gold").

Translations

First translated and adapted into English as The Miser by Thomas Shadwell in 1672 (who added eight new characters). Another version, with the same title and based on both Plautus and Molière, was produced by Henry Fielding in 1732.

Translated into Afrikaans as Die Vrek by A.F.H. van Dijk.

Translated into Afrikaans as Die Vrek by Pieter-Paul Fourie.

Production history in South Africa

In the original French

Presented in Cape Town in 1945 by the Cercle des Amis de la Langue Francaise[2], with Maurice Pinson as "Herpagon". Décor by André Salesse.

In English

1825: There is an indication that the amateur company Honi Soit qui Mal y Pense planned a production of the play in English in April 1825, though no specific information is available about the production. (A copy of the play was lent to the society by an unknown donor in that year.)

1964: Produced by PACT, directed by Joan Brickhill, with Siegfried Mynhardt, Louis Burke, Fiona Fraser, Phillip Boucher, Shirley Firth, Arthur Hall and others. Presented at the Alexander Theatre, National Theatre, Pretoria and then taken on tour in Transvaal and Natal, playing for twenty weeks.

2012-13: Presented as part of the France – South-Africa Seasons 2012-2013, by The Baxter Theatre Centre and Fortune Cookie Company, in association with the Market Theatre, and with the support of IFAS and Alliance Française du Cap. Directed by Sylvaine Strike, with Lionel Newton Patricia Boyer, Atandwa Kani, Mpho Osei Tutu, Jason Kennett, Kate Liquorish, William Harding,and Motlatji Ditodi. Designs by Sarah Roberts. Opening in Johannesburg at the Market Theatre (25 October- 9 December 2012), then in Cape Town at the Baxter Theatre (8 to 25 May 2013). The production won Best Production of a Play, Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for Patricia Boyer; Best Costume Design for Sarah Roberts and Best Director for Sylvaine Strike at the 10th annual Naledi Theatre Awards.