The Theatre of Illusion

Pierre Corneille, in his original dedication for The Theatre of Illusion, described the play as a "strange monster." He first called these five acts a comedy; later, a "caprice" and an "extravagant trifle." Written in 1635 and staged in 1636, the play vanished from the stage for the next three hundred years--to be revived in 1937 by Louis Jouvet and the Com die Fran aise. Since then it has been widely considered, in Virginia Scott's words, "Corneille's baroque masterpiece."

Today this brilliant piece of wit and drama is available in a new translation from one of America's finest poets and translators of French, Richard Wilbur. Widely praised for his translations of plays by Moli re and Racine, Wilbur now turns his poetic grace to this work, which remains as much a celebration of the comedy of humanity and the magic of life as it was when Corneille wrote it.

Author: Richard Wilbur
Publisher: Ecco Press
Published: 04/02/2007
Pages: 144
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.33lbs
Size: 8.01h x 6.42w x 0.43d
ISBN: 9780156032315

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 03/15/2007 pg. 14

About the Author
Wilbur, Richard: -

RICHARD WILBUR, one of America s most beloved poets, has served as poet laureate of the United States. He has received the National Book Award, two Pulitzer Prizes, the National Arts Club medal of honor for literature, and a number of translation prizes, including two Bollingen Prizes and two awards from PEN.Wilbur, Richard: -

RICHARD WILBUR, one of America's most beloved poets, has served as poet laureate of the United States. He has received the National Book Award, two Pulitzer Prizes, the National Arts Club medal of honor for literature, and a number of translation prizes, including two Bollingen Prizes and two awards from PEN.