THE STORY: Tells of two inspired French comedians, both popular favorites. A beautiful woman, in love with both of them, agrees to build them their ideal theatre. Then the rivalry begins: for she agrees to marry the “better actor.” In tour-de-force roles which truly give actors a chance to show their talents, each goes to extravagant extremes to prove his mettle. The second act brings the deeply human awareness that genius cannot be handed over, gift-wrapped, to another generation. It is a fierce indictment against retirement, and offers a challenge to continue living in the living theatre.
A comedy, a suspense tale, a love story, and a unique theatrical experience.
“It fires and remains in the imagination. The play is a fine one, with great human validity. Its thought content is stimulating. Beautifully written.” —Cleveland Plain Dealer.br>
“A singing kind of theatre in which playwrights Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee affirm that the theatre they sing about is ever-living, ever-lasting and ever-renewable.” —Philadelphia Inquirer and Variety.br>
“A most dazzling play. There is magic, there is fantasy, there is high aspiration, and there is a superb exploitation of the theatrical instrument.” —Catholic News.
