Feydeau Plays - (World Classics) by Georges Feydeau (Paperback)

About the Book

Georges Feydeau (1862-1921), now widely regarded as one of the greatest farce writers, had a succession of hits in turn-of-the-century Paris. This first volume of his collected works includes early successes such as "Pig in a Poke" (1888) and more mature pieces such as "Heart's Desire Hotel".

Book Synopsis

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'Hôtel du libre échange) 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).

Review Quotes

"[A] blissfully funny revival ... nicely renamed in peter Meyer's canny translation to indicate how this is also a story of female revenge against the double standard ... hilarious ... a treat" --Paul Taylor, Independent

"A puckish version by the late Peter Meyer ... this is a farce ... that squares the circle: the action moves like a well-oiled machine while the characters remain thoroughly and hearteningly human" --Ian Shuttleworth, Financial Times

"Plenty of lubricious fun to be had ... the joy ... of Peter Meyer's translation ... lies in seeing recognisable human beings driven to a state of exhausted desperation." --Michael Billington, Guardian

"Gloriously funny" --Sam Marlowe, The Times

"This gloriously giddy revival of the classic Feydeau farce has real heart ... a dazzlingly complicated plot, that fits together like a spinning Rubik's Cube ... wry asides in Peter Meyer's translation clarify characters' marriages and motivations ... a triumph." --Laura Silverman, Arts Desk