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Chatsky & Miser, Miser! Two Plays by Anthony Burgess
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Summary
Chatsky: The Importance of Being Stupid is a witty verse comedy by Alexander Griboyedov, dramatizing an intellectual rebel clashing with conventional, philistine society. First performed in 1833 and heavily censored in Russia, Burgess restores the play’s sharp language and wit, evoking the spirit of Oscar Wilde. Both plays showcase Burgess's skill in translation and theatrical writing.
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Chatsky & Miser, Miser! Two Plays by Anthony Burgess
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
This collection will appeal to lovers of classic theatre, especially those interested in spirited translations and adaptations. It suits readers and performers who appreciate comedic verse plays rich with linguistic flair and social satire.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
Anthony Burgess was an energetic writer and composer. In Chatsky & Miser, Miser! Two Plays by Anthony Burgess, we see him tackling works by Alexander Griboyedov.
Miser, Miser! is a bold reworking of Molière's classic comedy of 1668. Harpagon the miser is hoarding a pile of gold, which he has buried in his garden. As he tries to sell off his daughter, catch himself a beautiful young bride, and outwit his scheming household of clever servants, the comedy of errors intensifies.
Although the original French play is written in prose, Burgess remakes it in a mixture of verse and prose, in the style of his famous works. This translation, discovered in the author's archive, is the work of a writer at the height of his powers, reinventing Molière for modern audiences.
Chatsky, subtitled 'The Importance of Being Stupid', is another verse comedy. The theme is that of the intellectual hero who rebels against the smug, philistine society in which he finds himself. First performed in 1833, Griboyedov's play was so heavily cut by Russian censors that it was barely recognisable. The play is a virtuoso vehicle for male actors and the source of many famous quotations. In this version, Burgess remakes a classic Russian play in the spirit of Oscar Wilde. It is a great feast of language and invective.
The complete texts of both plays are published here for the first time. This confirms Anthony Burgess's reputation as a gifted writer for the stage, and as a translator of great wit and sophistication.
MISER, MISER! CASTING: 7 men, 3 women
CHATSKY CASTING: 9 men, 7 women
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781914228889
Publisher: Salamander Street Limited
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 09 May 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Salamander Street Limited
Contributors:
- Translated by Anthony Burgess
Audience: Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 218
About the Author
Anthony Burgess was born in Manchester in 1917 and educated at Xaverian College and Manchester University. He spent six years in the British Army before becoming an education officer in Malaya and Brunei. After the success of his Malayan Trilogy, he became a full-time writer in 1959. He achieved a worldwide reputation as one of the leading novelists of his day, and one of the most versatile. In addition to 33 novels, he wrote stage plays, criticism, translations, two volumes of autobiography and a Broadway musical. He composed more than 250 musical works, including a piano concerto and a violin concerto for Yehudi Menuhin. His books include The Complete Enderby, Napoleon Symphony, Earthly Powers and A Clockwork Orange. Burgess died in London in 1993, a few months after the first production of Chatsky at the Almeida Theatre.
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