M. Prudhomme is the owner of a village called Terrevieille (Oldland) where he lives with his faithful servant Gazette and his neighbour Annexmann. One day, Gazette advises him to build walls around his garden and to arm the inhabitants of his land because other peasants are equipped with stakes. M. Prudhomme commands her to find out the culprit, and Gazette leaves, seeking information. Meanwhile Annexmann arrives to discuss a neighbour called Danois (Danish) and a parcel which used to belong to his ancestors. Fearing a conflict, M. Prudhomme decides to dig ditches and to arm his people. Shortly after, Gazette comes back and informs her master that Annexmann’s men are carrying sticks with a needle on top whilst M. Prudhomme’s men have Chassepot rifles. During the conversation, we learn of a new problem: a certain Victor had promised to respect the presbytery of the village’s vicar that is located in his orchards. However, Victor is now threatening to evict the vicar from his land. M. Prudhomme is outraged by this situation and, with Gazette, decides to defend the vicar’s house. In return for her precious help, Gazette asks M. Prudhomme for a very special reward: freedom.

Glove-puppet

Not specified

Lemercier de Neuville Louis

France

Marseille

Printed

Village

Neighbourhood

Army

Priest

Current events

Property

Comical

Satirical

Lemercier de Neuville, illustration for Mon Village, 1868.

French

Landlord

Monsieur Prudhomme

Servant

Neighbour

Monologue

Play in verse

Comical foreign accent

Situation comedy

Allusion to current political events

Mon village

My village