Litigants

Jean Racine

This play, which is neither a comedy or a farce but has elements in common with each, was first performed in 1668 at Paris, and afterwards at Versailles. It is a French adaptation of "The Wasps" of Aristophanes. Racine's own experience of law and lawyers was derived from the suit in which he had been involved about the Priory of Epernay, during the course of which he picked up a number of barbarous terms "which," to quote his own words, "neither my judges nor I ever properly understood" - Summary by (The Translator) Cast list: Dandin, a judge: Alan Mapstone Leander, son of Dandin: Adrian Stephens Chicaneau, a citizen: Mike Manolakes Isabelle, daughter of Chicaneau: Hanna Ponomarenko The Countess: Sonia Petit-Jean, a house porter: ToddHW L'Intimé, a clerk: Greg Giordano The Prompter: David Purdy Stage Directions: Son of the Exiles Editing: ToddHW (1 hr 10 min)