La Troupe des Anciens de l’Université de Toronto has been presenting plays in French, mostly classical works, since 1969. This year they have opted for Le Bourgeois gentilhomme (The Would-Be Nobleman), one of the great Molière’s most successful plays, with music by Jean-Baptiste Lully, possibly one of France’s most popular composers of the XVIIth century and a great favourite of Louis XIV, the Sun King. Le Bourgeois gentilhomme is a” comédie-ballet”, a kind of musical comedy in the style of the period, with music, singing and dancing.

Monsieur Jourdain, the bourgeois, is a middleclass man who has become rich selling cloth and who now dreams of being a nobleman. He becomes so obsessed with this dream that he begins to believe them a reality and makes life impossible for his family and servants who have their feet on the ground. He becomes a prey to an army of flatterers, both commoners and penniless noblemen, all in need of money.

Problems come to a head when he and his wife decide to choose a suitable husband for their daughter, Lucile. Lucile is in love with Cléonte, an intelligent, cultured, affluent young man who shares her feelings. He is proud of his background, of what he has achieved and has no wish to be considered a nobleman. Alas! M. Jourdain has decided that only a marquis, or even, if possible, a duke will make a suitable match for his daughter.

The future seems bleak for the lovers, but after all, this is a comedy – and “all is well that ends well!” as you will see when you come to the play.
Because of Molière’s intimate knowledge of the human heart, his mastery of the French language, his sense of humour, because of Lully’s lively music, Le Bourgeois gentilhomme is a treat to our ears. Because of the amusing ballets and the colourful costumes of our production it will be a treat to your eyes. Do not deprive yourself of seeing one of the masterpieces of the Golden Age of French literature.