"A mischievous new translation by the poet Richard Wilbur, [The
Bungler] is great good fun and should open the gate for the play to be
presented with the regularity it deserves."--Bruce Weber, The New York
Times
"My notion of translation is that you try to bring it back alive.
Speak-ability is so important. . . . I came to see that a line that
simply says 'I love you, ' at the right point in the show, is entirely
adequate, that a great deal of verbal sophistication is not necessarily
called for."--Richard Wilbur
Poet Richard Wilbur's translations of Molière's plays are loved,
renowned, and performed throughout the world. This volume is part of
Theater Communications Group's new series (with cover designs by Chip
Kidd) to complete trade publication of these vital works of French
neoclassical comedy. The Bungler is Molière's first recognizably great
play, and the first to be written in verse. The charming farce is set in
Sicily and born of the great Italian tradition of the commedia
dell'arte: Loyal valet Mascarille schemes to win the lovely Celie away
from rival Leadre, and into the arms of his master Leslie. Molière
himself originated the role Mascarille, self-described as "the rashest
fool on earth," who naturally bungles the job along the way.
Richard Wilbur is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and a former Poet
Laureate of the United States. His publications include six volumes of
poetry and two collections of selected verses, a collection of prose,
and two books for children.
