<p>The play begins with an old shepherd looking after his flocks and talking briefly with his two sons. While the eldest borrows money that his family has accumulated by working, the youngest announces that he is going to leave, because he longs to live another kind of life. The father replies in the way of a humble man entrusting God with the future of both his wealth and of his youngest son. The next three tableaux show the sinful life of pleasures which the youngest brother enjoys in Thebes before famine and regrets convince him to come back home. The oldest son’s resentment, which the Gospel mentions, is left out of the play. The last tableau does not mention the tensions between the two brothers (which were only suggested at the beginning of the play), and only the father’s joy at being reunited with his son is shown.</p>

Shadow theatre

Not specified

France

Paris

Printed

Wealth

Debauchery

Mercy

Repentance

Orientalism

Splendor

Lyrical

French

Scènes bibliques en 7 tableaux

Father

Board

Alternating narrative / dialogue

Dance

Pantomime

L'Enfant prodigue

The Prodigal Son