The action takes place in the backstage of a puppet theatre, where the puppets are hung. To his companions’ disbelief, the Doctor claims that he has read in a book that puppets are carried by strings manipulated by men. Colombina proposes to show that men are also held by a string – a string that binds their heart. All the puppets tell a story about the meanness or the sadness of human life. Colombina concludes that, perhaps, the string is invisible to those who are held by it, and that, just like men, puppets do not realise what ties them. Her companions do not believe her, and while they lay out of their belief that they are autonomous, the puppeteers remove them one by one from the room where they were kept and makes them go on stage – the show is about to begin.

Not specified

Italy

Turin

Printed

Thread

Love

Avarice

Vanity

Philosophy

Autonomy

Wickedness

Philosophical tale

Satirical

Illustration by Edoardo Calandra, representing Eleonora Duse

Italian

Scena filosofico-morale per marionette

Puppeteer

Apparition of the puppeteer

Conversation

Prologue

Play in verse

Metatheatre

Metadiscourse on puppet theatre

Alternating narrative / dialogue

Argument

Speechless character

Il Filo

Françoise, Babylas’s wife, complains that she is lonely, and that her husband is a drunk and a miser. She would like to see Isidore, his nephew, whom Babylas has sent away. Isidore arrives and says that he has found work as a painter of lobsters’ legs, but that he was turned out again. Françoise says that her husband beats her when he drinks. Right before Babylas goes down for dinner, Isidore hides under the table. During the meal Babylas wants to drink, but he hears several knocks from under the table, which rises. Scared, he believes that Isidore, who is covered by a tablecloth, is a devil. Isidore introduces himself as the ghost of Babylas’s late brother. He commands the latter to take his nephew back, to give him a good job, and to stop beating his wife; otherwise, his wine will turn into vinegar, and he will lose his money and be sent to prison. Babylas takes his bottle to hit the ghost. The tablecloth falls and Isodore hides. Babylas calls his wife and relates that he has seen his dead brother. Scared of being hanged, he admits that he has been neglectful and asks Françoise to go fetch Isidore. The latter arrives, and Babylas promises to stop drinking and beating his wife.

Glove-puppet

All audiences

Lemercier de Neuville Louis

France

Paris

Couple

Alcohol

Meals

Phantom

Threat

Repentance

Farcical

Comical

French

Father

Wife

Nephew

Monologue

Hidden character

Dinner scene

Situation comedy

Apparition of a ghost

Change of voice

Le Fantôme

The Ghost

Rosaura, a young woman, and Doralice, an elderly widow, talk about an admirer who has been sending flowers and gifts to Rosaura. Doralice advises her to accept his courting, but Rosaura is in love with Florindo, who is poor. Rosaura receives a bouquet, a ring and a note, all thrown on the sill of her window by Facanapa, Count of Castelbianco. She decides to let him come up, so that she can give him his gifts back. She sends Arlecchino to meet the Count, who reacts by hitting him. Facanapa enters Rosaura’s room through the window. She asks Arlecchino to make him leave, but Facanapa kicks him again before paying him to become his servant. Pantalone, Rosaura’s father, is annoyed by the presence of the Count in his daughter’s bedroom after she has explained the situation to him. Pantalone agrees to rent Rosaura’s bedroom to the Count for the night. Florido arrives and angrily requests compensation. The Count has Florindo then Pantalone tied up to a chair by Arlecchino. The Count informs Pantalone that he is wealthy, and is planning on marrying Rosaura without asking for a dowry. Pantalone agrees, even though he thinks that the Count is slightly odd. The latter explains that he wanted proof of the love between the two young lovers and of the greediness of Pantalone, who was willing to give his daughter to anybody regardless of their identity. To everyone’s surprise, he marries Rosaura and Florindo and reveals that he is the rich uncle of the orphan Florindo, and that he comes from America. He says that he will give the newlyweds luxurious presents and properties in Veneto if he receives their affection. He also wants to keep Arlecchino, who is only too happy to serve him.