Georges Feydeau

Kenneth McLeish's definitive translations of the most successful French dramatist of the Belle Epoque Georges Feydau (1862-1921) was the most successful French dramatist of the belle epoque and is now widely regarded as one of the greatest of farce-writers. His series of dazzling hits matched high-speed action and dialogue with ingenious plotting. Reaching the heights of farcical lunacy, his plays nevertheless contain touches of barbed social comment and allowed him to mention subjects which would have provoked outrage in the hands of more serious dramatists. This volume of new, sparkling translations by Kenneth McLeish contains three plays from the peak of his career, The Girl from Maxim 's, She's All Yours (La Main Passe) and A Flea in her Ear (La Puce a L'Oreille), together with an early work, Jailbird (Gibier de potence).

Kenneth McLeish's definitive translations of the most successful French dramatist of the Belle Epoque Georges Feydau (1862-1921) was the most successful French dramatist of the belle epoque and is now widely regarded as one of the greatest of farce-writers. His series of dazzling hits match high-speed action and dialogue with ingenious plotting. Reaching the heights of farcical lunacy, his plays nevertheless contain touches of barbed social comment and allowed him to mention subjects which would have provoked outrage in the hands of more serious dramatists. This volume of new, sparkling translations by Kenneth McLeish contains his two masterpieces, Heart's Desire Hotel (L'Hotel du libre echange) and Sauce For the Goose (Le Dindon), with three other plays from the peak of his career, The One That Got Away (Monsieur Chasse!), Now You See It (Le System Ribadier) and Pig in a Poke (Chat en poche).

Adapted from "La Main Passe!", this play is set in turn-of-the-century Paris where Madame Chanal is having an affiar with Masenay, who is also married. In true Feydeau style there is a frenzied domino effect of mistaken identities, lots of door banging, and drop-your-trousers scenes.

Drama Classics: The World's Great Plays at a Great Little Price A classic French farce of infidelity and mistaken identity. A suspicious wife sets a trap to expose her supposedly faithless husband. The husband however bears an uncanny resemblance to a drunken porter, and when circumstances bring the two into proximity in the seedy Hotel Casablanca, all hell breaks loose. Georges Feydeau's play A Flea in Her Ear (La puce à l’oreille) was first performed at the Théâtre des Nouveautés in Paris in March 1907. This English translation by Kenneth McLeish is published in the Nick Hern Books Drama Classics series, with an introduction by Stephen Mulrine.

(Applause Books). This new version of the long-lost three-act A qui ma femme?, one of Feydeau's earliest comedies, is a slice of marital life served up with the delicious incongruities and linguistic verve that were to characterize his later theatre.

Wild plots and quicksilver wit characterize the plays of Georges Feydeau. Called the greatest master of French comedy since Moli¬re 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.

Georges Feydeau (1862-1921) is considered second only to Moliere as a great writer of French comedy and yet his reputation, at least in English-speaking countries, rests largely on a half dozen plays. This book features new translations of five of his lesser known works as seen from the perspective of a stage director: "Brothers In Crime (Gibier de potence), The Dressmaker (Tailleur pour dames), All My Husbands (Le mariage de Barillon), That's My Girl (Occupe-toi d'Amelie)," and "Nothing But The Tooth (Hortense a dit: -Je m'en fous-)." The Introduction provides biographical information, traces the most significant influences in Feydeau's output, and discusses farce as a dramatic genre."

Set in 1890s Paris and very typically Feydeau in style, this lively and fast-moving play revolves around the idea of mistaken identity. Lucille awaits her new music teacher but the man who walks into her apartment is Edouard, in the mistaken belief that he is attending a rendezvous with his mistress. A series of hilarious misunderstandings and double entendres ensues.-4 women, 1 man

Feydeau's hilarious farce Occupe-toi d'Am lie is here translated in a lively new version - seen at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, under the title She's in Your Hands! Marcel will inherit one million francs - on his wedding day. Unwilling to relinquish his bachelorhood, but in dire need of cash, he persuades Am lie, a cocotte, to act as his fiancee for benefit of his godfather. But events don't go according to plan!5 women, 13 men

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.

The troubles of Ventroux, parliamentary deputy, begin when his wife Clarisse insists it is so hot that she can only wear a n glig around the apartment. Hochepaix, a former political enemy, visits; Clarisse is stung in a most unfortunate place and pleads with Hochepaix and her husband to suck out the sting for her. When a reporter from Le Figaro kindly administers first aid in full view of the President it seems doubtful that poor Ventroux's political career will survive!1 woman, 4 men

(Applause Books). Hector Ennepeque, first-time father to be, is in extended labor and protracted comic convulsions over his wife Leonie's imminent delivery. Before the baby's arrival, this hilarious farce gives birth to multiple comic harangues all aimed a the helpless henpecked husband. When Hector tries to rebound from the recriminations of his aristocratic in-laws, he is swatted aside by an Amazon midwife who takes charge of everything . A brilliant tableau of conjugal chaos by the master of the genre.

The translator of a popular version of Feydeau's A Flea in Her Ear scored another success with this acclaimed farce at the National Theatre of Great Britain. More slam bang experiences in mistaken identities and sexual peccadillos, this hilarious story begins with M. Pinglet's efforts to have a fling with Mme. Paillardin, who is terminally bored with her husband. The lovers book a room in a very out of the way hotel which quickly becomes a destination for practically everyone they know. Large cast

Raymonde suspects her husband, Victor Emmanuel, of infidelity and she turns to her best friend, Lucienne, to help her gain proof. They concoct a play-based on a perfumed letter-to trap him at the Hotel Coq d'Or in Montretout.5 women, 9 men