<p>A moneylender nicknamed “'a Sberressa” (the policewoman) insults an old man and another poor man who cannot repay their debts. Her partner Nirone helps her and smacks every defaulting debtor. The Sberressa even forces one of the debtors, Rosenella, to give her money she had saved on the side to pay for medicine for her dying mother. These last abuses of power prompt two debtors to ask for Nicolino Iossa’s help. Nicolina does not hesitate and helps the poor victims of the moneylender. As punishment, he smacks the Sberressa and Nirone and forces them to give Rosenella her money back.</p>

Rod and string marionette

Not specified

Perna Ciro

Printed

Wear and tear

Abuse

Protection

Poverty

Violence

Punishment

Battered woman

Cycle of performances

Realist

Dramatic

Neapolitan

Moneylander

Old man

Old woman

Guappo

Debtor

Commoner (female)

Aside

Slaps

Aria

Echoing lines

Shouts of acclamation in several voices

'E sorde co 'nteresse

Money with interests

<p>Pierrot is harassing his rich neighbour Mrs Trifouillon to get her to marry him. He locks her out of her house, then hides in her wardrobe. He beats her, breaks her dishes, throws her furniture in the street and deprives her of food and rest to make her give in. They fight, then she goes out to find a gendarme. When the gendarme arrives, Pierrot mistakes him for Mrs Trifouillon and pretends to marry him. Then Pierrot beats the Gendarme and throws him out. He finds Mrs Trifouillon's piggy bank, but she manages to take it back. Under threat, she agrees to marry Pierrot, who beats her to the rhythm of a wedding song that she is forced to hum while dancing.</p>

Glove-puppet

Manipulated object

All audiences

France

Paris

Duranty Louis Émile Edmond

Silver wedding

Harassment

Cipidity

Stock exchange

Blackmail

Forced marriage

Threat

Comical

Farcical

French

Pierrot

Constable

Monologue

Misunderstanding

Blow-with-a-stick

Song

Beating with a broom

Hidden character

Ambush

Off-stage voice

Lazzi

Stone throwing

Headbutt

Throwing objects

Liquid spray

Final song

Running gag

Chase

Le Mariage de raison

The Marriage of reason