Elvira and Don Juan: Two French Plays

This book presents English translations of two French plays: Moli_re's Don Juan and a recent play, Elvira, by Brigitte Jaques/Louis Jouvet, in which a teacher and a group of students rehearse a scene from the classical comedy. An introduction, bibliography, and notes make the volume suitable for use as a university textbook. Banned after its creation in 1665 because of the threat that it posed to conventional beliefs and ways, Don Juan was not appreciated until the middle of the twentieth century. Since then, its extraordinary theatricality and its daring, and very modern, discussion of philosophical and social matters has made it Moli_re's most performed and most studied work in France and in continental Europe generally. In English-speaking countries, however, it is still relatively unknown. Elvira was a huge success in France in the late 1980s both on stage and on television in a filmed version. Both in its themes and in its form, this text calls into question conventional views of theatre. In addition to being a compelling drama, Elvira is also a historical document of considerable interest. The dialogue is a transcription of lessons that were given at the French National Conservatory of Dramatic Art by teacher, actor, writer and director, Louis Jouvet, one of the most important and influential people in twentieth-century French theatre. The discussions on acting presented in Elvira make a concise and effective introduction to his thought. This is the first text of Jouvet available in English.

David Edney is a Professor in the Department of Linguistics, University of Saskatchewan.