Feeling joy last night seeing ‘L’Hôtel du Libre-Échange’
“Our Hotel is recommended for married couples, either together or separately !”
The play takes off by the discovery of a flyer for a seedy hotel which reads: « Hôtel du Libre-Échange, 220, rue de Provence ! Recommandé aux gens mariés … ensemble ou séparément ! »
A true example of French farce, Feydeau and Desvallières’s hilarious machine runs like a high speed TGV train. It’s a satire of our countless human foibles, relying on running gags, adultery, banging doors, mistaken identities, and the timing genius of the actors…. A joyous acting style which is so refreshing these days and a relief from so-called realism.
Grateful to be there last night in what seemed to me clearly to be the best two seats in the house.
(photo thanks to Jacques)
