The Would be Gentleman

New Theatre company Giant Olive is proud to present this timeless comedy of social pretensions, brought to life with vitality, elegance and wit.

A small man with a very short neck and a large head sunken into his shoulders did not give Jean Baptiste Poquelin a particularly distinguished appearance. Nevertheless, despite not having the physical advantages of an actor, he embarked on a stage career at the age of 21 and for 15 years enjoyed modest success with a touring company. He was then fortunate enough to have the king’s brother as his patron, and some seven years later, the king himself. In 1667, he started to show signs of lung disease and died from a hemorrhage in 1673.

It is surprising that there are no surviving letters or manuscripts of Moliere’s, considering the number of others which have survived from the 17th century. It is a mystery comparable to that surrounding Shakespeare! No one has managed to shed light on this enigma nor the fact that there seem to be no surviving specimens of his handwriting or signature. It appears that, at the end of his life, he may have been the victim of peculiar plots, the nature of which will remain shrouded in mystery and speculation.

However, during his life, it was remarked that he never took advantage of his reputation or ability, and accommodated with good humor all those with whom he came into contact. He had a tolerant and liberal outlook. In a word, he had all the qualities of a perfect, honest gentleman.

With his admirable wit, astonishing observation, supreme power over his own language and masterly satire, his reputation as a comic dramatist of manners, satirizing folly and vice without sacrificing the dramatic art, is unrivalled.

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