A female led Comedy
Show Synopsis
Set in the 1730’s French Province, this Commedia Dell’arte troupe puts the subject of women’s rights and desires center stage as females take lead. They tell the story of Eloise and her search for happiness. The play is filled with love, lust, lashes, lunacy and laughter. With the ability to double cast, this show is just the comedy your actors are looking for.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
- Simone Bardot: Sophisticated widow, Artist
- Adeline –Servant to Simone
- Gefrei – Servant to Felix
- Felix Roche – Merchant father
- Pierre – Servant to Felix
- Eloise Roche – Felix’s Daughter
- Lea – Servant to Eloise
- Henri Moulin – Wealthy Paris businessman
- Durant Moulin – Henri’s son
- Emilie Du Chatelet – Physicist/Mathematics
- Francoise Benoist – Playwright/essayist
- Marie Salle – Dancer/Choreographer
- Suitor/Jules – Servant to Simone
- Suitor/Cedric – Servant to Simone
- Suzette – Inn Keeper
- Suitor/Marcus Renault – Art Dealer
- Monique – Musician
- Townsperson/understudy
- Townsperson/understudy
SCRIPT SAMPLE
La Maison des Marginaux
Scene 1
1730’s in the Loire Valley of France
(The curtain opens, and we hear music as we see the last scene of the show. Running, screaming near misses, catches, releases, throws and falls. It is the French renaissance and the women of Touraine are desperately trying to find their way in this new world.)
(After around 5 – 10 seconds of panic the entire company stops and takes an audible two breaths before continuing. SIMONE a middle-aged lady of some sophistication slowly descends towards the center of the stage after being chased by HENRI, keeping composure and a small grin on her face. She is epitome of composure and grace. As she finds her place at center, she violently opens her large fan and the entire company freezes.)
SIMONE
Such Zozos! What fools! Collect yourselves! THEY are watching you. (Chorus straightens themselves)
Je suis la Simone. Please forgive our company of actors, we get so swept away in our roles that sometimes they feel very real. Where is my maid, Adeline? Adeline!? Viens ici! (Come here.)
(ADELINE seems to be flirting with another servant, GEFREI on stage. ADELINE laughs loudly then snorts as SIMONE clears her throat. ADELINE, realizing she has been found out, crosses quickly to SIMONE and bows.)
ADELINE
Qui Madam.
SIMONE
Adeline, did you not hear me? We have an audience.
(ADELINE suddenly turns and nervously giggles to audience.)
Ecoutez, (Listen up)
(Cast takes three tiny steps towards SIMONE and leans in.)
SIMONE
We need to set the stage. We need to tell our story. C’est compris?
(The CAST begins to argue about what part they should tell. ADELINE loudly claps her hands three times. Chorus showing their stupidity begin to applaud, ADELINE forgetting what she was supposed to do begins to curtsey to the applause.)
ADELINE
Merci! Merci mon amie. (Adeline occurring to her that she is not doing what she has been asked, changes her posture and mood to a true assistant director) You heard Simone! Get ready for the first scene of our show!
(Cast begins to whine)
ADELINE
Now!
(Chorus begins to clean up the stage and set up for the opening scene directed by ADELINE. FELIX, a dashing Merchant crosses to SIMONE and seems to be irritated.)
FELIX
Simone darling. (FELIX leans in to kiss SIMONE on the cheek, she turns away and reaches out her hand. FELIZ reluctantly takes it sighing he kisses it.) I will not be treated like a servant like the others. I am a professional lead actor! (Begins to scratch his head.) I am above such nonsense.
SIMONE
Oh Felix, you are nothing BUT nonsense. Are you alright?
FELIX
I don’t know what you are referring to. (Scratching his arms.)
SIMONE
You’re scratching.
FELIX
Perhaps if I got my own dressing room and didn’t have to share it with Marcus’ dog…
SIMONE
Fifi is his fluffy little ball of love.
FELIX
She’s a nuisance.
SIMONE
(Small laugh) Looks like someone needs grooming and it’s NOT Fifi. (FELIX feeling defeated crosses to complain to his servant PIERRE)
FELIX
Pierre, I’m going to need you and Gefrei to keep Marcus’ beast in your dressing room.
PIERRE
Sir, that isn’t possible.
FELIX
And why is that?
PIERRE
Gefrei is allergic to dogs.
FELIX
Well so am I!
GEFREI
But your dressing room is much bigger than ours…
FELIX
Because I am theatre royalty! You will move that dog at once!
PIERRE
Sorry to be blunt, but we are not your servants outside of this show in fact maybe the ending of our show should change.
GEFREI
Maybe this time we can also change the ending so I get the girl.
FELIX
I’m contacting management after today’s show…
SIMONE
Attention! (Cast continues moving and talking.) Actors, Attention!
CAST
Qui Madam!
SIMONE
We are going to tell our story.
CAST
Qui!
SIMONE
We are going to skip the boring parts.
CAST
Qui!
SIMONE
Focus on the dramatic.
CAST
Qui! (Striking a dramatic pose)
SIMONE
Minimize the violence.
CAST
Qui! (Cast attacking each other)
SIMONE
And Maximize the Comedy!
CAST
Quuuuuuuiiiiiiiii! (Cast begins laughing then starts growing in silliness becoming over the top till SIMONE slaps open her fan again and the cast freezes.)
SIMONE
And try NOT to exaggerate!
CAST
Qui! (Small, embarrassed)
SIMONE
Aller! It’s time to begin. Now, I have someone I want you to meet, my beautiful Niece named Eloise.
(The stage has been set to resemble a small village and ELOISE is seated on a bench. Standing behind her is ELOISE’S attendant, LEA. Off down stage right is a collection of men trying to get the nerve to talk to ELOISE. FELIX has situated himself far upstage with his servant PIERRE.)
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