Arriving in China after a failed emigration to America, Kasperl finds himself in the service of the Mandarin Quingquing, Emperor Schunschi's "Minister of Confused Affairs". While styling his master's pigtail for the audience, Kasperl gets annoyed at not understanding what Quingquing is saying in Chinese and slaps him to death. Kasperl disguises himself as a Mandarin and goes to the hearing in his place, where he argues with Schunschi. When Schunschi retires, he asks for a drink. A barrel is brought to him, but opening it is an actual Chinese puzzle. The ghost of Quingquing finally emerges. Kasperl knocks him out and then resolves to drink tea, promising himself to return to Germany without delay.

String marionette

Not specified

Pocci Franz von

Germany

Munich

Printed

Far east

Middle Empire

Pigtail

Chinese

Phantom

Despotism

Triviality

Minister

Slap

Barrel

Emigration

Journey

Farce

German

Kasperl

Emperor

Valet de chambre

Esclave

Appearance

Disguise

Monologue

Murder on stage

Macaronism

Hyperbolic action

Ridiculous fight

Dialogue of the deaf

Parody of formal language

Kasperl in China

Casperl gets drunk with the hunter Thomerl and Thomerl offers to put Casperl’s wife Grethl to the test: Casperl has to fake an illness that will lead to his death, and Thomerl, disguised as a doctor, will come and certify the death. As soon as Casperl is pronounced dead, Grethl tries to console herself in the arms of Lieutenant Pulvermann. The fake dead man is resurrected, a fight ensues in which Pulvermann is killed and the corpse is taken backstage. A police officer comes to seize Casperl, but husband and wife join forces against the impetuous man, who is forced to give in to the violence. To celebrate their reconciliation, Casperl and Grethl go to the inn, where they also meet with Thomerl.

Marriage

Household

Philosophy

Beer

Wine

Gluttony

Doctor

Drunkenness

Clyster

Medicine

Grief

Chamber pot

Reconciliation

Tavern

Comical

Ein beispielloses Spektakelstück

Thomerl

Madame Kasperl

Lieutenant

Police officer

Word for another

Song

Spying scene

Aside

Fake death

Dream

Brawl

Dance

Die Prüfung

The test

A painter named Schmierpinsel is at an award-winning ceremony. In his absence, Casperl, his servant, pretends to be the painter to a lady who wants to have her portrait made. Casperl takes a down payment, then paints a donkey’s head and hits the outraged woman with the canvas. Upon his return, Schmierpinsel is called at the police station. After his statement, the police chief, Karrnpichler, interrogates Casperl. The latter smears paint on the police chief's face before throwing him out.

Young audiences

Portrait

Painting

Artist

Originality

Genius

Cheekiness

Prestige

Stammering

Insult

Drink

Interrogation

Satirical

Ein malerisches Lustspiel

Lady

Commissioner

Address to the public

Comic stuttering

Casperl als Porträtmaler

Casperl portrait painter

Incarcerated for his debts, Casperl is freed from prison by a small child, Capricerl, who is the guide of Fortuna, the blind goddess. While being pursued, Casperl finds refuge with Klaus, a hermit who reveals himself to be the Devil. However, Fortuna bet against Bios, the genie of life, that her gifts could make someone happy: Casperl will be her guinea pig. She repels the Devil and makes Casperl win the lottery. But the newly rich man is tyrannical and angry to the point of becoming sick. He goes so far as to miss the simple and modest life he once had, and curses his fortune. The goddess understands her defeat and brings him back to his normal self. Casperl goes to the inn.