The Tricks of Scap

Intro Molière (creator of this comédie, he is french): Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known as Molière, was born in 1622 in Paris. The son of a tapestry maker, he lost his mother at the age of ten. After studying at a Jesuit college, he initially planned to pursue a career in law. However, his encounter with Tiberio Fiorelli, known as Scaramouche, and with Madeleine Béjart led him to change his plans. Together, they decided to form a troupe of actors, the Illustre-Théâtre, which was inspired by the Italian tradition of commedia dell’arte. They achieved various successes in the provinces and in Parisian theaters. Molière brought a sharp and incisive perspective to the theater, which he owed to his keen observation of the world, its characters, and their flaws. Both a playwright and an actor, he is responsible for many famous comedies, including Les Précieuses ridicules (1659), Sganarelle ou le Cocu imaginaire (1660), L’École des femmes (1662), Dom Juan (1665), and Les Fourberies de Scapin (1671). He died on stage during one of the final performances of Le Malade Imaginaire in 1673. CHARACTERS: ARGANTE, father of Octave and Zerbinette. GÉRONTE, father of Léandre and Hyacinte. OCTAVE, son of Argante and lover of Hyacinte. LÉANDRE, son of Géronte and lover of Zerbinette. ZERBINETTE, believed to be Egyptian and later recognized as the daughter of Argante and lover of Léandre. HYACINTE, daughter of Géronte and lover of Octave. SCAPIN, valet to Léandre and a trickster. SILVESTRE, valet to Octave. NÉRINE, nurse to Hyacinte. CARLE, a trickster. TWO PORTERS. The scene is set in Naples. (you choose your character)