Written by Alain-René Lesage First performance 1713 Genre Farce | Date premiered 1713 Playwright Alain-René Lesage Original language French language | |
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Characters ArlequinPierrotScaramouchea judgean Italian actortwo actressesa musician People also search for Arlequin Mahomet, Le Tombeau de Nostradamus, Arlequin roi de Serendib | ||
La Foire de Guibray (English: The Guibray Fair) is a one-act farce by Alain-René Lesage. It was first performed at the Foire de Saint Laurent in 1714. La Foire de Guibray is actually a prologue to two other one-act farces, Arlequin Mahomet and Le Tombeau de Nostradamus. Between the three works, Lesage created a comedy in three acts.
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Plot summary
Arlequin and Scaramouche come to the Guibray Fair in order to steal things from merchants. When Scaramouche talks about how scared he is of the judge of the town, Arlequin suggests that they disguise themselves as Arab actors to avoid suspicion.
Meanwhile, the judge and Pierrot are walking through the fair, watching the various theatrical and musical acts. An Italian actor offers to entertain the judge, when Arlequin walks up and proposes his own play. The judge suggests a competition between the two. Arlequin will perform Arlequin Mahomet, and the Italian will perform Le Tombeau de Nostradamus.